Localized air monitoring in New York’s disadvantaged communities underscores the need for immediate action to cut air pollution

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 14, 2024) — This week, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation released the first batch of data collected as part of the Community Air Monitoring Initiative. This initiative carried out localized air monitoring in ten disadvantaged communities across New York State, an effort mandated by New York’s climate law.  

The data show the disproportionate impact of truck traffic on air quality, with high levels of pollution concentrating around high-traffic roads — results consistent with existing research, including the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance’s Community Heat and Air Mapping Project. Research has clearly demonstrated that these emissions are linked to health issues including asthma, cardiovascular disease and premature death, making the findings especially concerning as a compounding issue for overburdened communities.  

“This release is a critical step towards building localized and community-informed strategies to cut pollution in disadvantaged communities. The data make clear that swift and decisive action is necessary to address the sources of pollution that affect the health of millions of New Yorkers.” said Dr. Karla Sosa, Project Manager, New York State Affairs. “Many options are already available to the state. The Clean Deliveries Act would significantly reduce pollution for communities located near warehouses across New York state, and implementation of congestion pricing would significantly reduce the vehicular traffic that contributes to Manhattan’s local air pollution while providing funds to improve and repair public transportation, further reducing toxic emissions and improving the system’s efficiency and resilience. The state must also expedite truck electrification, along with the necessary grid enhancements, and can lean on the emerging cap-and-invest program as both a way to reduce emissions and fund a clean transition in the Empire State.”