This Month's Topics:

• Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
• Pledge to Reduce Pollution this Earth Day
• Nitrogen Pollution: Too Much of a Good Thing
• We Care About Clean Air
• Helpful Links
• Dates to Remember
• AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health

Public & Stakeholder Participation Information:

• Various NYS projects in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB).

Additional information and access to past announcements are on our Public & Stakeholder Participation Information page.

Air Mail! is the publication to announce public and stakeholder information about air quality topics. All NYS residents are environmental stakeholders – we welcome anyone to join the information sessions and other opportunities posted here.

Pledge to Reduce Pollution this Earth Day

Every year on April 22, New Yorkers everywhere celebrate Earth Day to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection. Since its inception in 1970, there have been many positive actions taken as a result, including improved air quality.

The first Earth Day encouraged Congress to pass the landmark Clean Air Act the same year, which over decades has led to enormous reductions in all categories of air pollutants. Vehicles in the US today are almost 99 percent cleaner than those from the 1970s, with reduced carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate emissions. Vehicle fuels are also much cleaner after the elimination of lead in gasoline and reductions of sulfur levels in fuel, resulting in clearer skies and healthier children.

This Earth Day, pledge to improve your neighborhood's air quality for the health of your loved ones and protect the environment from harmful pollution. Here are some tips to help you:

• Drive smart by combining trips and driving within the speed limit to conserve fuel. Choose clean transportation options, when possible.
• Keep your personal vehicle in excellent running condition, including maintaining proper tire pressure to maximize miles per gallon and reduce emissions.
• Plant trees and shrubs to absorb carbon dioxide, and flowers in your garden to enjoy the cleaner air with your family.
• Turn off lights and some appliances when not in use.
• Use electric lawn and garden equipment, if possible, to take advantage of NY’s clean energy grid.
• Be extra careful when refueling your power equipment to reduce spills and smog-forming volatile organic compounds.
• To reduce air toxics, use only unpainted, untreated wood in campfires and never burn trash.
• Practice air quality improvement ideas continuously and share them with your family and neighbors at gatherings and on social media.

Visit DEC's website for more ideas on how you can keep our air clean. Earth Day can be every day.

Photo Captions: Left: A view of a busy NYC street corridor with buildings blotted out by heavy pollution, circa early 1970. Right: A view of a bustling NYC street corridor on a clear, sunny mid-summer day in 2017.

Nitrogen Pollution: Too Much of a Good Thing

When air and water meet, such as when it rains, air pollution can easily turn into water pollution. Our waterways can receive a lot of pollution this way from both rain and run-off. Air pollution can damage fragile aquatic ecosystems, with one of the most harmful pollutants being nitrogen.

Although nitrogen is a vital nutrient for all living things, including aquatic plants, too much of it does more harm than good. Emissions from burning fossil fuels in vehicles and power plants are sources of atmospheric nitrogen that can end up in our water. An overabundance of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, in marine and freshwater ecosystems can lead to an increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs). In addition to air pollution, other potential sources of nutrients to waterbodies may come from stormwater runoff, agricultural runoff, urban land runoff, point sources, streambank erosion, road ditches, and septic systems. Most algae are harmless and are an essential part of the food web, but some species of algae can produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. Warm temperatures, with high levels of nutrients in the water, and sunny, calm days are some of the conditions that may lead to an overgrowth of algae.

When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to "KNOW IT, AVOID IT, REPORT IT."

• KNOW IT - HABs vary in appearance in the water from scattered green dots to long, linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.
• AVOID IT - People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with the discolored water and water with algal scums on the surface.
• REPORT IT - If you suspect a HAB, report it through the NYHABS online reporting form. Health concerns related to HABs should be reported via email to the NYS Department of Health at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov.

Water Week in NYS begins May 9, but you can start protecting our water and air today.  Help reduce the effects of fossil fuel emissions on our water by greening your commute and conserving energy. Don’t over fertilize your lawn this spring. Look for the “zero” to buy phosphorus-free fertilizer products. Follow sustainable lawn care practices to prevent HABs in nearby waterbodies. Check out DEC’s website for other ways you can help keep air pollution out of our water and air. While you’re there, you can also read up on HABs.

Photo Captions: Top; Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are caused by an overabundance of nutrients such as nitrogen, causing toxic algal to grow out of control. This HAB occurred in NYC’s Central Park Lake in Manhattan. Bottom; When buying fertilizer look for the “zero” to prevent water pollution.

We Care About Clean Air

DEC is once again celebrating Air Quality Awareness Week from May 3 to 7, 2021. This year’s theme is “Healthy Air - Important for Everyone.” Celebrate with others across the country by learning more about air quality and its impacts on you, your family, and the environment. Take steps to reduce your contributions to air pollution, not only during the celebration but also in your daily life.

Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about ways to protect our air and environment. You can also check out our interactive map to check the air quality in your area. As the warm summer weather invites us outdoors more, remember to check the AQI forecast and recognize the importance of air quality on your health.

Helpful Links:

• DECinfo Locator – An interactive map that lets you access DEC documents and public data about the environmental quality of specific sites in NYS as well as outdoor recreation information.
• DEC Delivers – Stay in-the-know by subscribing to the environmental topics that interest you. DEC Delivers will send you information, updates, and e-newsletters on the topics of your choosing. As an Air Mail! subscriber, you may be interested in subscribing to the Air Quality Alert topic so you know when air quality levels are a concern in your area.
• AQI Forecasts – Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast for your area of NYS.
• NYSDEC YouTube – Keep up with what's going on with DEC staff by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Watch video clips of DEC public protection in action, learn about the Hudson River, or watch the latest episode of "On the Front Lines," DEC's video series.

Dates to Remember

• Second Tuesday of the Month: Sustainability Lunchtime Learning Webinars – A monthly series covering numerous topics of interest, such as choosing a green cleanser, climate-friendly air conditioning, and water conservation. Pre-registration is required.
• Now through May 15: DEC's annual Saratoga Tree Nursery native tree and shrub seedling sale – Dozens of native tree and shrub species are available for purchase at low cost. Browse this year's selection on our website. Place your order by email form or, for the most up-to-date species availability information, call (518) 587-1120, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• March 16 to May 14: Annual Spring Burn Ban – Temporarily outlaws burning of residential brush and yard debris.
• April 21: John Muir’s Birthday – Known as “The Father of our National Parks,” he inspired people to respect natural resources and explore America’s wilderness.
• April 22: Earth Day – Remember that Earth Day is every day. Include activities that reduce air pollution, such as using less energy at home, walking or biking instead of using a car, and ditching gas-powered lawnmowers. See our website for more tips.
• April 26: National Arbor Day – Trees clean the air by absorbing odors and pollutants and trapping them in their leaves and bark. They also make the all-important oxygen that we all breathe.
• May 1 to 2: I Love My Park Day 2021 – Join with other New Yorkers at a nearby park to clean up park lands and beaches, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitat, remove invasive species, and work on various site improvement projects. Make an appointment to volunteer and show some love for your park.
• May 2 to 8: International Compost Awareness Week – The theme for 2021 in the US is, “Grow, Eat…COMPOST…Repeat.” The program's goal is to raise awareness of the benefits of using compost.
• May 3 to 7: Air Quality Awareness Week – This year's theme is Healthy Air – Important for Everyone! Air Quality Awareness Week's goal is to increase awareness of how important clean air is and inspire people to take steps to reduce their contribution to air pollution. Let’s take action together to keep our air clean.
• May 9 to 15: Water Week in New York – Learn about ways to keep our water clean by preventing water pollution in the first place.

Stay Informed about Your Air Quality

NYS' ozone season runs from April through September. DEC publishes ground-level ozone forecasts during ozone season and particulate matter pollution forecasts year-round using a scale called the Air Quality Index (AQI). DEC sends out an air quality alert when there is a high AQI value, which indicates polluted air. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, and people who exercise outdoors should take caution during an air quality alert. Find out if an Air Quality Alert is in effect by calling the toll-free Ozone Hotline: 1-800-535-1345.

The AQI can be accessed in three ways:

• Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast.
• Find an Air Quality Monitor near you.
• Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts for NYS via email.

We would like to know what you think. Please send your Air Mail! questions or comments to us at DAR.web@dec.ny.gov.