Air Quality Alert: Polluted Air In New York City

New York City is the most populous city in the United States, and despite having relatively clean air on average, it still faces challenges with air pollution. The air quality in NYC can vary depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and human activity. While the city has made significant strides in improving air quality in recent decades, air pollution remains a severe hazard to the health of its residents. Fine particles (PM2.5) are among the most harmful pollutants, and long-term exposure to PM2.5 contributes to an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 excess deaths from lung and heart disease each year in NYC. The city also struggles with ozone pollution, which is among the most dangerous gaseous pollutants.

New York's air quality is generally good, but it's worse in summer

New York City has relatively clean air on average, despite being the most populous city in the United States. For the last three years for which data is available (2017, 2018, and 2019), New York's air quality index (AQI) has remained less than 50, which is considered "good" by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means that the air should pose little to no risk to health.

However, New York's air quality is not always this good, and it does suffer from poor air quality, particularly during the summer months. In 2019, July was the most polluted month for PM2.5 pollution, with a reading of 9.1 μg/m3. This is above the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is < 10 μg/m3.

Ozone is a significant component of smog and is among the most dangerous gaseous pollutants. The State of the Air Report published by the American Lung Association gave New York City an "F" for ozone pollution. This is due to the number of days in 2019 that exceeded the national 8-hour ozone standard. Ozone occurs when high temperatures cause nitrogen oxides and reactive organic substances from vehicles and smokestack combustion to react. While city-wide ozone levels have decreased in the last three decades, it still presents a considerable health risk to residents.

The New York Health Department estimates that PM2.5 pollution contributes to over 3,000 deaths and 2,000 hospital admissions for coronary and respiratory conditions annually. Lower-income neighborhoods are particularly at risk, with adverse health outcomes related to pollution concentrated in these communities.

To tackle this issue, Governor Hochul has encouraged New Yorkers to be "Air Quality Aware" during the summer months. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides daily air quality forecasts to help residents stay informed and prepared for any changes in air quality.

Ozone is a critical component of smog, and NYC is among the most ozone-polluted cities

New York City is the most populous city in the United States, yet it has relatively clean air on average. Its air quality index (AQI) has been "good" for the past few years, indicating little to no health risk. However, air pollution in NYC remains a significant concern, particularly regarding ozone levels, which are a critical component of smog.

Ozone pollution, often referred to as smog, is a severe health hazard. Breathing it in can cause shortness of breath, coughing fits, asthma attacks, and even premature death. Ozone is formed when precursor pollutants react to sunlight. While NYC's city-wide ozone levels have decreased over the last three decades, it still poses one of the most significant environmental health threats to residents.

In 2019, New York City received an “F” for ozone pollution in the State of the Air Report published by the American Lung Association. This was due to 5.5 days in that year exceeding the national 8-hour ozone standard of 70 ppb. The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens counties maintained failing grades for ozone in the 2022 report, with Suffolk County in the metro area being the worst for ozone levels in the state.

The high levels of ozone pollution in NYC are attributed to various factors. Local emissions, including mobile sources such as cars and trucks, contribute significantly. Despite having the lowest per capita vehicle miles travelled, NYC is one of the most congested cities in the nation, with 2.5 million residents driving into Manhattan daily. Additionally, weather patterns play a role, as ozone-forming pollutants can be transported from distant power plants, and industrial pollution from New Jersey can blow across the Hudson River into the city.

The health impacts of ozone pollution are far-reaching. In 2011, it was estimated that around 10% of hospital visits for asthma in New York City were linked to ozone pollution. Furthermore, areas with higher rates of poverty tend to experience higher baseline health conditions, lower-quality housing, and limited access to healthcare, exacerbating the effects of air pollution. Lower-income neighbourhoods and communities of colour, particularly Black and Hispanic communities, bear the brunt of pollution-related health complications.

Air pollution is worse in low-income neighbourhoods, threatening heart and lung health

New York City has relatively clean air on average, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of less than 50 ("good") for the past three years. However, air pollution levels continue to threaten communities, particularly lower-income neighbourhoods, and raise the risk of heart and lung health complications.

Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, is a dangerous and prevalent air pollutant, widely regarded as one of the most harmful to human health. While New York's PM2.5 levels meet the recommended target of <10 μg/m3, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that no level of exposure is without health impacts. The New York Health Department estimates that PM2.5 pollution contributes to over 3,000 deaths and 2,000 hospital admissions for coronary and respiratory conditions annually. A 10% reduction in PM2.5 could reduce these numbers by 300 and 200, respectively.

Lower-income neighbourhoods are more vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution due to various factors. Firstly, people living in poverty are more likely to reside near sources of pollution, such as busy roadways and industrial areas, and have fewer resources to relocate. Additionally, lower-income areas often suffer from a lack of safety, green spaces, and access to high-quality food and healthcare. These factors contribute to increased psychosocial distress and chronic stress, making residents more susceptible to pollution-related health issues.

Furthermore, racial and ethnic disparities exist within lower-income neighbourhoods, exacerbating the impact of air pollution on these communities. Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians have been found to live in counties with worse particle and ozone pollution. A study of New Jersey residents revealed that communities with larger African American populations, lower home values, and lower median incomes faced a higher risk of early death from long-term exposure to particle pollution. Similarly, in Atlanta, particle pollution increased asthma attack rates in zip codes with high poverty rates and among Medicaid-eligible individuals.

While New York City has made significant progress in reducing pollution, with decreases in PM2.5, NO2, NO, and SO2 levels, certain areas continue to experience higher pollution levels and associated health risks. Local Law 38 of 2015, which regulated previously unregulated emission sources and promoted the use of cleaner heating oils, has contributed to these improvements. However, the adverse health outcomes related to pollution remain concentrated in low-income communities, underscoring the need for continued efforts to reduce air pollution and protect the health of vulnerable residents.

Vehicle traffic and industrial emissions are major sources of pollution, especially in minority communities

New York City has relatively clean air on average. For the last few years, its air quality index (AQI) has been rated "good" by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the city continues to struggle with ozone pollution, which is among the most dangerous gaseous pollutants. Ozone is a critical component of smog, and it is created in the atmosphere when precursor pollutants react with sunlight.

While local emissions account for much of New York City's pollution levels, weather patterns can carry harmful pollutants into the city from other regions. A recent study estimated that approximately 30% of the fine particulate matter in the city's air comes from outside the city. Despite having the lowest per capita vehicle miles traveled of any US city, much of the air pollution in New York City comes from mobile emission sources such as cars and trucks.

Vehicle traffic and industrial emissions are major sources of pollution, and minority communities are often disproportionately affected by this pollution. Studies have shown that populations with lower socioeconomic status (SES) and minorities are particularly vulnerable to air pollution stressors. They are more likely to live near major roads and transportation infrastructure, resulting in higher exposure to harmful pollutants. Additionally, minority groups may face greater exposure to pollution due to factors such as racism, class bias, housing market dynamics, and land costs.

In New York City, low-income communities and communities of color, particularly Black and Hispanic residents, are more likely to experience the negative health impacts of air pollution. The New York Health Department estimates that PM2.5 pollution contributes to more than 3,000 deaths and 2,000 hospital admissions for coronary and respiratory conditions annually. Lowering PM2.5 levels can significantly reduce the number of deaths and hospitalizations, improving the health of New York residents across all income levels.

NYC has improved air quality in recent decades, but it still poses a health hazard

New York City, the most populous city in the United States, has been making significant strides in improving its air quality over the years. The city has witnessed a downward trend in the annual average levels of various pollutants since 2009, with the exception of ozone or O3. Notably, between 2009 and 2021, the concentrations of pollutants such as PM2.5, NOx, NO, SOx, and NO2 saw a considerable decline. For instance, the annual average levels of PM2.5 have been reduced by 43%, NO2 by 39%, NO by 56%SO2 by 98%.

The improvements in air quality can be attributed to various factors, including local regulations such as Local Law 38 of 2015, which amended the New York City Air Pollution Control Code, and building owners now being required to switch to cleaner heating oils. Additionally, the city has the lowest per capita vehicle miles travelled of any US city, and the deployment of cleaner vehicles, such as compressed natural gas, hybrid electric, and low-sulfur diesel buses, has helped reduce emissions.

However, despite these improvements, air pollution in New York City still poses a significant health hazard to its residents. Fine particles (PM2.5) are among the most harmful pollutants, and long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 excess deaths from lung and heart disease each year in NYC. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 also contributes to asthma incidents, requiring trips to the emergency department. The adverse health effects of air pollution are disproportionately experienced in low-income communities and communities of colour, particularly Black and Hispanic or Latino residents.

Ozone or O3 pollution is another critical concern for New York City. Ozone is a dangerous gaseous pollutant and a key component of smog. While city-wide ozone levels have decreased significantly over the last three decades, it remains one of the most significant environmental health threats to residents. The formation of tropospheric ozone is exacerbated during the summer months due to high temperatures and intense solar radiation. Stable atmospheric conditions during the summer can further trap pollutants near the ground, increasing the concentration of smog and particulate matter.

Overall, while New York City has made commendable progress in improving air quality in recent decades, it continues to face challenges in reducing ozone pollution and protecting the health of its residents, especially those in vulnerable communities, from the harmful effects of air pollution.

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