New York State’s Community Air Monitoring Initiative

Background

New York State is working to improve air quality for millions of people, as poor air quality is associated with detrimental health effects. The state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA or Climate Act) sets many ambitious goals to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions, and includes air quality monitoring requirements. To comply with these requirements, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is implementing the Community Air Monitoring Initiative.

The Community Air Monitoring Initiative is a study that is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The first phase of the study (the monitoring phase) has been completed—data was collected from summer 2022 to summer 2023, and the results are now available. The second phase, which will involve the development of strategies for improving air quality, will start in the winter of 2024 and continue until the spring of 2025.

The Community Air Monitoring Initiative focuses on 10 regions across New York that are disproportionately impacted by air pollution. This study utilized a creative method of data collection called mobile monitoring. Mobile monitoring is conducted by fitting cars with sensors and having them patrol specified areas at varying times of the day and days of the week.

The sensors are designed to monitor emissions of several different kinds of gas, including carbon monoxide, methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, ozone, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, fine particulate matter, and black carbon. All the mentioned emissions can contribute to an unhealthy environment. Monitoring these parameters allows for an understanding of the source of these pollutants, which will help in the determination of how they may eventually be reduced.

Recent Results

As a general rule, air quality has improved throughout much of New York. However, the Community Air Monitoring Initiative has highlighted the inequality in air pollution for certain communities, where more air pollution was observed than average. Increased pollution was found in the following areas:

• Roads with high traffic volumes
• Roads that experience heavy use by diesel vehicles (like trucks or buses)
• Active commercial retail centers
• Areas containing construction
• Areas with rail yards
• Areas with waste management facilities
• Areas with industrial facilities

Although these results may seem obvious to some, they represent a reminder that those who work or live in these zones are being impacted by poor air quality. By improving air quality in these areas, human health and the environment will benefit. To learn more about air monitoring, call Walden at 516-588-6859.