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 Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
- Pollution Spotlight: Benzene
- People Helping People
- Dates to Remember
- AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health
- Connect with Us at Air Mail!
Public & Stakeholder Participation Information:
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.
Pollution Spotlight: Benzene
Everyday actions, such as going for a drive, can release a chemical compound called benzene (PDF) into our air. Benzene is a colorless liquid that evaporates very quickly and has a sweet odor. Benzene can be harmful to both people and animals when inhaled, especially in urban areas that typically have higher concentrations of the pollutant. Short-term exposure to concentrated benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Long-term exposure can lead to blood disorders and an increased risk of leukemia. There is no specific antidote for benzene poisoning, so preventing exposure is the best way to keep people healthy.
 The burning and evaporation of fossil fuels are the largest sources of benzene pollution in our air. To help reduce benzene emissions, DEC regulates industrial facilities, gas stations, large fuel storage units and even portable gas cans. There are also several programs in NYS that reduce vehicle emissions, including the inspection and maintenance of vehicles and the electrification of buses and other large fleet vehicles.
To reduce benzene emissions in your community and save money at home, you can improve your vehicle’s fuel economy, use public transportation, and make your home more energy-efficient. By limiting your fossil fuel use whenever possible, you can keep your community safe and NY’s air clean.
People Helping People
 DEC's Division of Air Resources held its annual charity raffle in December in memory of their former employee, Linda Stuart. The raffle raised just over $5,000 to help construct Foreverly House, a housing project administered by the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition in Ballston Spa, NY. Foreverly House will provide a residence for homeless women veterans and their children, ensuring them a safe place to stay. Since the raffle began in 2005, the Division of Air Resources has donated almost $40,000 in Linda’s name to organizations and individuals in need.
Helpful Links:
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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.
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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.
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AQI Forecasts – Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast for your area of NYS.
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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.
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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:
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Second Tuesday of the Month: Sustainability Lunchtime Learning Webinars – A monthly series covering numerous topics of interest, such as Sustainable Flooring, Sustainability for Kids, and Creating a Backyard Vegetable Garden. Pre-registration is required.
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February: Black History Month – DEC joins the rest of the nation in celebrating Black History, with a focus on Black health and wellness. Visit our website where we highlight partner organizations with a mission rooted in ensuring Black people have access to the great outdoors and opportunities for positive experiences in nature.
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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 a low cost.
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February 20-26: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Week – Find a CSA near you to eat local, support farms in your community, and reduce transportation air pollution all at the same time.
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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.
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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.
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March 16 through May 14: Annual Spring Burn Ban – Temporarily outlaws burning of residential brush and yard debris. Burning trash is banned year-round in NYS.
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March 21: International Day of Forests – Trees help remove air pollution, so it is important to maintain forests to clean our air.
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March 22: World Water Day – As the saying goes, “What goes up must come down.” Air pollution is pulled down with the rain and can harm our water resources, too.
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:
Connect with us at Air Mail!
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