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- Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
- Smoky Skies and High AQI’s
- Dates to Remember
- AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health
- Connect with Us at Air Mail!
Public & Stakeholder Participation Information:
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Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act – The Bond Act provides funding for projects that will provide clean water, help New Yorkers adapt to climate change, and create new green jobs. A statewide educational listening tour is underway to provide information on funding opportunities for the public and potential stakeholders. More detailed information can be found in the article below. Visit the Bond Act’s website to register for upcoming sessions.
- Ongoing Public Engagement: New York Cap-and-Invest Program under the Climate Act – DEC and NYSERDA are seeking feedback on a series of questions on the three regulations being developed for the Cap-and-Invest Program: Cap-and-Invest Rule, Mandatory Reporting Rule, and the Auction Rule, as well as the methods for the analysis underpinning the program. While we have encouraged comments by July 1, 2023, to inform the next phase of the process, comments will continue to be accepted and your feedback is important to us. Check the Cap-and-Invest website for the latest information on upcoming meetings, recordings of past meetings, and the status of the process.
- Ongoing Public Engagement: Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative Meetings – DEC is undertaking a statewide community-based air quality monitoring effort focusing on ten disadvantaged communities with high air pollution burdens around the state. Check the 2022-23 Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative webpage for the latest information on upcoming community meetings, recordings of past meetings, and the status of each location's air monitoring efforts.
- 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.
Smoky Skies and High AQI’s
Earlier this month, plumes of smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires blew into the Northeast and along the eastern seaboard. The result was hazy, orange skies, the smell of smoke, and poor Air Quality Index levels that will be on the minds of people who experienced it for years to come. NYS issued several Air Quality Health Advisories in June 2023 due to the smoke. In some areas, the air quality was so poor that they ranked among the cities with the worst air quality in the world. On June 7, 2023, NYC had a 28% increase in hospitalizations due to poor air quality.
Wildfire smoke contains several pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide, which can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, wheezing, coughing, and trouble breathing. Exposure to high concentrations of smoke can aggravate pre-existing health problems, including triggering asthma attacks and exacerbating the effects of many other lung and heart conditions. Young children’s lungs are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of inhaling smoke because they are still growing.
Here are a few ways to reduce smoke exposure (PDF) for yourself and those you care about:
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Be aware of your air: Before heading out to work, exercise, or to the park with the kids, check the AQI forecast and adjust your outdoor activities if there is poor air quality. Plan ahead by signing up for email air quality alerts.
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Stay inside: Keep windows and doors closed to keep indoor air clean. If smoke gets inside, buy or make your own portable air cleaner to reduce particles indoors, or use HEPA air filters in your HVAC system.
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Wear a mask: If you must go out, a properly worn N95 mask can filter out large smoke particles, reducing the amount of PM you breathe in.
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Take it easy: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities that may cause you to breathe heavier.
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Protect the vulnerable: Caretakers of children, the elderly, and those with asthma should be especially careful. When the AQI is elevated, be sure to limit their outdoor activities to keep them safe.
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Take care of four-legged friends: Keep outdoor trips with your pet brief and low-key to protect them from the same nose, eye, throat, and lung irritation people experience.
Out of control wildfires can result in extensive damage to the land, property, and air. While June’s Air Quality Health Advisories were caused by out-of-state wildfires, fires within NYS can also affect local air quality levels. Human activities cause 95% of wildfires in NYS. There are many steps we can take to lower wildfire risks. Before enjoying an outdoor campfire, check the Fire Danger Map for your area and read up on NYS’ open-burning rules. Preventing wildfires in the first place will help keep our air clean and easy to breathe in the future.
Photo Caption 1: Hazy skies reduced visibility in Albany, NY. This photo was taken on June 7, 2023, in downtown Albany.
Graphic Caption: The AQI forecast map on June 6, 2023, predicting six regions in NYS to have PM at levels considered unhealthy and two regions to have PM at levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Photo Caption 2: Smoke-filled skies obscure the view of Taughannock Falls in Trumansburg, NY, on June 7, 2023.
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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Summer 2023: Great American Campout – Join in on the fun by taking the pledge to camp - in a park, a backyard, or even your living room - and be a part of the summer-long celebration. No matter where you camp, you can find fun ways to connect with nature and learn about wildlife.
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July: Plastic Free July – Limit single-use plastics for the full month. When plastics end up in our landfills instead of properly recycled, they can contribute to air and land pollution.
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July 1: DEC’s Birthday – This year, we are celebrating 53 years of environmental protection. We have had many successes along the way, but there are still environmental challenges to overcome.
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July 4: Independence Day – Learn Before You Burn and take caution when starting any backyard or camping fire.
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August 9: Smokey Bear’s Birthday – Smokey says, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” Do your part by building safe fires with only local, dry firewood. This will keep our air clean and our yards wildfire free.
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August 17: National Thrift Store Day – Making new products has a high environmental and personal cost. Shop at thrift stores for used products to save money and the environment.
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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