This Month's Topics:

• Public & Stakeholder Participation Information
• Automotive Emissions Inspections and Why They're Done
• The Crisp Taste of Fall Air
• Get There Green!
• Helpful Links
• Dates to Remember
• AQI Alerts for Respiratory Health
• Corrections
• Connect with Us at Air Mail!

Public & Stakeholder Participation Information

• Proposed Part 218, Emission Standards for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines – Written statements must be submitted to DEC by 5:00 p.m. on November 17, 2021.
• Part 220 Portland Cement Plants, Glass Plants & Asphalt Pavement Manufacturing Plants – A stakeholder meeting will be held on October 8, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. via electronic webinar, in advance of the rulemaking.  
• 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.

Automotive Emissions Inspections and Why They're Done

Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970, which required a 90 percent reduction in new vehicle emissions by 1975. Fast forward to today and cars are nearly 99 percent cleaner than they were in 1970, in terms of most common pollutants. This is thanks to years of persistence and additional regulations at both the federal and state levels.

Vehicle emissions contain not only greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide), but also criteria pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and carbon monoxide (CO). Ground-level ozone also forms when NOx reacts with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight and warm temperatures. Ozone can make it difficult for some to breathe, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. In high enough quantities, carbon monoxide can also be dangerous. To keep these pollutants low, NYS implemented the New York Vehicle Inspection Program (NYVIP) in 2005. NYVIP is a statewide program that requires vehicles between two and 25 model years old to get annual emissions inspections.

A key feature of NYVIP is the emissions inspection using Onboard Diagnostics (OBD II). Since 1996, most new vehicles come with this standardized computer system that monitors the vehicle's engine, transmission, and emission control systems. If a malfunction occurs that could result in excessive emissions, OBD II is designed to alert the driver via the “check engine light” (also known as the “malfunction indicator lamp” or “MIL”). NYVIP requires that this system is regularly checked for malfunctions and evidence of excess emission production. A passed inspection is required for a vehicle’s registration to be renewed, which ensures that any pollution issues are fixed and the vehicle is safe to drive.

Keeping our air clean and vehicles running efficiently has been the objective of NYVIP since it first began. Enforcing these goals has benefited the health and well-being of people throughout NYS. To learn more about NYS emissions inspections, check out DEC's website.

The Crisp Taste of Fall Air

Fall is now upon us with changing leaves, pumpkin-spiced everything and, of course, apples and all the yummy treats that are made from them. If you love apples, as we at Air Mail! do, you’re in luck. NYS produces an average of 29.5 million bushels of apples annually, making the state the second-largest apple producer in the country. That’s a lot of apples and a lot of apple trees!

Trees are mother nature’s air filters: removing chemicals, particulates, and carbon dioxide from the air. A stand of 100 trees can remove 430 pounds of pollutants from the air every year. Depending on their size, trees can also create up to 240 pounds of oxygen per year. With all that clean air to enjoy, fall is the perfect time to get out and pick some apples. If you don’t have an orchard near you, you can always enjoy a hike through the trees at your local park or hiking trail. Don’t forget to be respectful of your fellow air enthusiasts by having a mask handy, if needed. Enjoy the crisp fall air and some NY apples while you’re at it.

Photo Credit: Ryan von Linden, taken in Schoharie NY

Get There Green!

From September 20 through 26, NYS is celebrating Get There Green! — a week to promote and celebrate more sustainable modes of transportation. To help reduce climate altering greenhouse gas emissions, we encourage all New Yorkers to take at least one trip between September 20 through 26 using a sustainable mode of transportation. Some examples include walking, biking, taking public transit, carpooling, or driving an electric vehicle.

To have your emissions reductions counted toward the state total, pledge your trips online. You can also spread the word about traveling sustainably by posting about your experience using the hashtag #GTG21. To learn more about how to utilize sustainable modes of transportation and to see how many pledges have already been made, visit the Get There Green! webpage.

Helpful Links

• 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.
• 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.
• AQI Forecasts – Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast for your area of NYS.
• 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.
• 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

• Second Tuesday of the Month: Sustainability Lunchtime Learning Webinars – A monthly series covering numerous topics of interest, such as choosing a green cleanser, climate-friendly air conditioning, and water conservation. Pre-registration is required.
• September - October: Fall Foliage Report – Before you head out on your leaf-peeping adventure, check out 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.
• September 20-26: Climate Week NYC – Hosted in conjunction with the United Nations, Climate Week NYC will explore how to fulfill the commitments made by businesses, governments, and organizations in the pursuit of a net-zero future.
• September 20-26: Get There Green! – Celebrate with NYS by pledging to utilize a sustainable mode of transportation at least once this week.
• September 21-27: Car-Free for Climate Event – Take the pledge to go car free for a day to reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
• September 28: Food Scraps Diversion Program Webinar – Join DEC representatives and food waste experts from the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute and learn how to launch a food scraps diversion program in your business. Pre-registration is required.
• September 30: Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol Signing – The Montreal Protocol regulated the use of fluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer, but we still need to be mindful of how we dispose of appliances that may contain them.
• October 4: World Animal Day – Clean air is important for all of earth’s creatures.
• October 16: World Food Day – Purchasing locally grown food reduces fossil fuel emissions from cross-country transportation, improving air quality for everyone.
• October 18: Federal Clean Water Act was enacted this day in 1972 – By conserving electricity, you can help reduce the effects of acid rain on our waterways.
• November 2: Election Day – Get out and vote!

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:

• Check the daily ozone and particulate matter pollution forecast.
• Find an Air Quality Monitor near you.
• Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts for NYS via email.

Corrections

In the previous issue of Air Mail! (published August 20, 2021), contributor Dr. Margaret McGrath’s affiliation was listed incorrectly within the article titled, “Ground Level Ozone, More than Just a Human Health Risk.” She currently works for Cornell University.

Connect with Us at Air Mail!

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