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Study: New York City air still bad

By Ryan Chatelain | ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com

May 1, 2008

New Yorkers are still breathing in unhealthy air, according to a new study.

Despite some modest improvements in air quality, the metro area jumped from 10th to eighth worst in the nation for ozone pollution - or smog - the American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air" survey contends. New York was 13th worst for short-term particle pollution, or soot; last year, the Big Apple ranked 17th.

The report, which examines data by county from 2004 to 2006, divides air pollution into three categories: ozone, short-term particle and long-term particle. Manhattan fared the worst in the state for annual particle pollution. The Bronx came in last for short-term soot, and Staten Island was the worst for smog.

"In New York City, where the asthma rates are some of the highest in the nation, it is simply unacceptable that residents are being forced to breathe this toxic air," said Louise Vetter, president and CEO of the American Lung Association in New York City.

Poor air quality can contribute to heart disease, lung cancer and asthma attacks, researchers say.

In comparison to last year's report, New York City's rankings declined in relation to other cities. However, none of the boroughs saw lower grades, and a few improved in areas. Queens went from a D to a C for ozone pollution. Brooklyn and Staten Island improved from F's to D's for short-term particle pollution. None of the boroughs scored higher than a C, and all but Brooklyn received at least one failing mark.

"While we continue to fail, it's trending the right way," said Michael Seilback, senior director of public policy and advocacy for the American Lung Association. "There's hopefully a light at the end of the clean-air tunnel."

New York's pollution largely comes from coal-burning power plants in the Midwest and vehicle emissions locally.

The American Lung Association is working with the city to pass legislation that would help clean the air, Seilback said. Some of those proposals are from Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030 agenda. Seilback said the proposals include mandating cleaner home heating fuels; moving toward eco-friendly taxis, limousines and delivery vehicles; and to cutting emissions from the Staten Island Ferry fleet.

"Over the next two decades we will reduce our carbon footprint by more than 30 percent, creating a greener, greater New York and improving public health," mayoral spokesman John Gallagher wrote in an e-mail.