Air Quality Study Available 

Public Availability Sessions and Presentations 

The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) will present their work related to Albany's South End Community Air Quality Study on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Albany Housing Authority located at 200 South Pearl Street from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. 

The informal information session will run from 6 - 7 p.m. and will be staffed with researchers from both DEC and DOH, as well as staff from the Albany County Health Department. Come early and ask the researchers questions.

The formal presentation will begin at 7 p.m. DEC will provide time for questions following the presentation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Division of Air Resources at 518-402-8402 or DAR.Web@dec.ny.gov.

On The Front Lines: Marilyn Wurth

In 2017, DEC began a year-long intensive study of the levels of air pollutants in the neighborhoods near the Port of Albany. This study was the result of community concern regarding multiple potential sources of pollutants associated with heavy diesel truck traffic and the transportation and storage of crude oil.

In addition to the two fixed monitoring sites installed at the Ezra Prentice Homes and on 3rd Avenue and Hawk Street in Albany, portable monitoring backpacks were utilized to measure ultrafine particles and black carbon. 

Local high school and college students received hands-on experience evaluating possible ways to reduce pollution from the road, including planting trees and other vegetation.  

Marilyn Wurth is a research scientist with DEC's Division of Air Resources’ Emissions Measurement Research Group (EMRG). EMRG has been at the forefront of this study, measuring the data using mobile indicators of the diesel particulate emissions that are coming from the vehicles driving through the community.

Marilyn, who’s background is in environmental science, focuses her research on the health relevant metrics like lung deposited surface. This is the amount of particle surface area that actually enters your lungs when you breathe.

Growing up along the St. Lawrence River, she learned the value of protecting our natural resources from an early age. She was inspired to study life sciences at Sienna College and earned her Masters’ in Environmental Health at SUNY Albany. Marilyn feels it is essential to continue our work on these important environmental issues, especially for future generations.

“No matter how challenging and complex a problem may be, everyone has the right to live in a better environment.”

For more information on the South End Air Monitoring program, and to view a copy of the study results, visit our website.

To see more videos about DEC programs and employees, check out our web series, On The Front Lines.