This Month's Topics:

• Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
• DEC Scientists Spark Federal Change
• Compost, It’s a Rot of Fun
• Helpful Links
• Dates to Remember
• AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health
• Connect with Us at Air Mail!

Public & Stakeholder Participation Information

• Proposed Policy DAR-21: The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and Air Permit Applications – Comments will be accepted through February 7, 2022.
• Adopted Part 218: Emission Standards for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines – This policy was adopted on December 29, 2021.
• Various NYS projects in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB).

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.

DEC Scientists Spark Federal Change

For the first time since the passage of the federal Clean Air Act amendments of 1990, a new pollutant was added (PDF) to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). This newly added pollutant is 1-bromopropane (1-BP), also known as n-propyl bromide (n-PB). Even though 1-BP and n-PB are the same pollutant, DEC uses the n-PB acronym. EPA decided to add n-PB to the federal HAPs list in December 2021 after concerned scientists from DEC’s Division of Air Resources sent a petition requesting its inclusion. n-PB is most commonly found in industrial solvents, adhesives, dry cleaning chemicals, and degreasing agents. EPA listed the pollutant due to its potential long-term health impacts, such as kidney, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and cancer.

DEC regulates almost 1,100 air toxics, including all the federally listed HAPs. Strict guideline concentrations are set for these air toxics to safeguard the health of residents and protect the environment. The applications of the air toxics regulations can be found in DAR-1: Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Ambient Air Contaminants Under 6NYCRR Part 212 (PDF).

When n-PB was submitted to DEC for its possible use as an alternative dry cleaning solvent in NYS, the air toxics section began reviewing the substance. Ultimately, they decided to deny n-PB’s use due to concerns over its potential for negative health effects and high toxicity compared to other available products. The air toxics section then submitted a petition to EPA requesting that n-PB be listed as a HAP. Once EPA reviewed the petition, they added n-PB to their list of 187 Hazardous Air Pollutants, making it the first-ever pollutant added since the list's creation in 1990.

While air toxics can be released during everyday actions, like driving your car, dry cleaning your clothes, and heating your home, DEC is working hard to reduce emissions of HAPs. To learn more about how DEC controls air toxics, visit our website.

Compost, It’s a Rot of Fun

When food waste goes to landfills, the food rots, and the nutrients never return to the soil. When organic material (something originally from a living organism, like a plant or animal) is in a landfill, it decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen) and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting allows the organic material to decompose aerobically (with oxygen), producing less methane pollution.

In 2018, EPA estimated that roughly 24 percent of landfill trash is food waste; more than any other category of every day garbage. All this organic material in our trash has made landfills the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the country. On January 1, 2022, the NYS Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling law came into effect to reduce the amount of food going into landfills. This law requires large businesses and institutions (PDF) to donate their excess edible food and recycle food scraps (as long as they are within 25 miles of an organics recycling facility).

Recycling organic material can also be done at home by composting. When done correctly, you can turn your leftovers, yard trimmings and fall leaves into soil amendments for gardens, lawns, and potted plants. Compost improves soil structure, moisture, and overall health by adding organic matter and beneficial microorganisms. If you want to try it for yourself, check out DEC’s page on composting at home.

Even if you don’t have the space for a compost bin or plants to use it with, you can still participate. There are many programs across NYS with food scrap collection or drop-off services. Your food waste could help farms and gardens in your community, all while improving our air quality.

Photo Caption: By composting food waste, you can cut down on methane emissions while improving the quality of your soil.

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. We 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.
• Conservationist – NYS’ premiere outdoor magazine--bringing nature to your door! Published six times a year, Conservationist is a NYS-focused magazine that is packed with informative and entertaining articles, first-rate photography, and stunning artwork. Articles cover a broad range of environmental and natural history related topics. Subscribe today to get a piece of the outdoors in your mailbox.

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.
• January 2 through May 15: DEC's annual Saratoga Tree Nursery native tree and shrub seedling sale – Dozens of native tree and shrub species will be available for purchase at a low cost.
• February: Black History Month – We celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans throughout history in February. DEC serves NYS residents by addressing environmental justice concerns in communities of color and low-income communities throughout NYS to ensure healthy air for all, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income. Check DEC's website for a special Black History Month tribute.
• February 14: Valentine’s Day – Air pollution can literally be a heart breaker as it increases the risk of developing heart conditions and makes existing heart problems worse.
• February 21: Presidents' Day – Presidents Richard Nixon (Clean Air Act 1970), Jimmy Carter (CAA Amendments 1977), George H.W. Bush (CAA Amendments 1990) and others have signed environmental legislation or promulgated rules that continue to protect our air and environment today.
• March 6: DEC Summer Camp registration opens soon – Mark your calendars and get the kids ready for some summer fun at one of four DEC Camps.
• March 16 to May 14: Annual Spring Burn Ban – Temporarily outlaws burning of residential brush and yard debris.

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.

Connect with us at Air Mail!

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We would also like to know what you think. Send your Air Mail! questions and comments to the team at DAR.web@dec.ny.gov.