In this issue:
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DEC Climate Justice Working Group Meeting – The group is tasked with establishing criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities for co-pollutant reductions, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regulatory impact statements, and the allocation of investments under CLCPA. Members of the public are welcome to attend a virtual meeting on August 20, 2024, at 2:30 pm.
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Ongoing Public Engagement: Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative Meetings – DEC recently released the results of the Community Air Monitoring Initiative with detailed “story maps” of each community with interactive maps and analysis tools to help review the data collected. Check the 2022-23 Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative webpage for access to the story maps, fact sheets, and the latest information on upcoming community meetings.
- September 12, 5:00 pm – Kate Gleason Auditorium in the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building, 115 South Avenue, Rochester
- September 19, 6:00 pm – Albany Housing Authority, 200 S Pearl Street, Albany
- September 23, 6:30 pm – Manhattan Sixth Street Community Center, 1st FL event space, 638 E 6th Street, New York
- September 24, 3:00 pm – Borough President Donovan Richards’ office, Queens Borough Hall RM 200, 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Queens
- September 25, 6:00 pm – Doles Recreation Center, 250 S 6th Avenue, Mount Vernon
- September 26, 6:00 pm – Bronx Borough Hall, 851 Grand Concourse, Veterans Memorial Hall, Bronx
- October 15, 5:30 pm – Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo
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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. Comments 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.
- 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.
Nothing says summer fun like a day at the fair. This year, the NYS Fair runs from August 21 through September 2. With rides, concerts, farm animals, and fair foods, the NYS Fair has something for everyone to enjoy.
Find DEC staff working the NYS Fair at three different locations:
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Center of Progress: This exhibit promotes green energy, electric vehicles, and climate action.
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The Aquarium: In this building, you can learn about NYS fish, purchase a NYS hunting or fishing license, and subscribe to NYS’ premier outdoor magazine, the Conservationist.
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Outside the Aquarium: DEC staff will promote different environmental topics daily at a booth just outside the building's exit doors.
You can even meet members of the Air Mail! team at the fair. On August 30 and 31, the Division of Air Resources will be hosting the booth outside the Aquarium. Stop by our booth to play a fun Air Quality Index (AQI)-themed game and receive a free AQI paper fan to help you stay cool.
Many different gases make up our atmosphere. Besides the better-known gases, like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, there is also a small amount of ozone. Ozone is a colorless gas made up of three oxygen atoms bound together. It forms naturally in the upper atmosphere and protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet sunlight.
In contrast, ground-level ozone is a form of air pollution occurring near the earth’s surface where it can be inhaled. This pollutant is made through a chemical reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of heat and sunlight. Major sources of NOx and VOCs are emissions from industrial facilities, electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents.
Health Effects of Ozone
High ozone concentrations at ground level can make the air unhealthy to breathe, which in turn can cause health problems like coughing, throat irritation, wheezing, shortness of breath, and decreased lung function. Those most at risk from the effects of high ozone concentrations are people with asthma, children, older adults, and outdoor workers.
We can all take steps to protect our health and air. Making green choices, such as driving less, choosing to walk or carpool, and using renewable energy sources, can help lower ozone pollution levels and help keep our air clean. Be sure to check the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast before heading outside to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from ozone pollution this summer.
Everyone wants to keep their neighborhood safe. You're the first to know if something changes or doesn’t seem right in your community. You can also be the first to act. If you see something or someone polluting the air, you can report the suspected violations to DEC. There are multiple ways you can let us know about a suspected violation:
Some of the most commonly reported air quality complaints are from the burning of trash, heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions, and outdoor wood boiler emissions. To help DEC respond promptly to your complaint or tip, be prepared to provide detailed information about the air pollution event being reported. Be sure to use your best judgment when reporting the event and never trespass to gain more information. If a situation seems dangerous, maintain a safe distance. Illegally polluting the air is a matter of public health and safety. Don’t be afraid to report a concern, even if you think someone already has. Please know that your identification is always treated with confidentiality.
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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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DEC Does What?! – Check out our new podcast that highlights what DEC does to protect our environment.
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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.
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August 21 - September 2: The Great New York State Fair – Carpool or take public transportation to the fair to decrease your impact on air quality.
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September 2: Labor Day – Observe the holiday close to home if you can. If you must travel, consider riding your bike or taking public transit to keep our air clean.
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September 7: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies – The theme this year is “Invest in #CleanAirNow”. Celebrate by learning what you can do to help keep our air healthy and clean.
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September 16: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – While ozone at ground level is harmful to the environment, ozone in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere) shields the earth from harmful solar radiation. Take this day to learn about the threats that face this protective layer and what’s being done to protect it.
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September 22: World Car-Free Day – Transportation contributes to a large amount of NYS’ greenhouse gas emissions. You can lower the number of emissions released by choosing to walk, bike, or even take the bus.
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September 22 - 29: Get There Green! – DEC’s annual Get There Green! campaign encourages New Yorkers to use sustainable transportation for one week to battle greenhouse gas emissions and show what living a greener life can look like. More sustainable forms of transportation include walking, biking, public transport, carpooling, or driving an electric vehicle.
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September - October: Fall Foliage Report – Before you head out on your leaf-peeping adventure, check the fall color report from I Love New York. The Adirondack and Catskill mountains are breathtaking this time of year. Remember to be safe and respectful when hitting the trails.
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.
The AQI can be accessed in four ways:
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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.
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