The State of the Air Report published by the American Lung Association gave New York City an “F” for ozone pollution. Ozone is among the most dangerous gaseous pollutants and a critical component of smog. While annual averages for particulate pollution pass most guidelines, the city continues to struggle with ozone pollution. Majid Ezzati, from Imperial’s School of Public Health, concluded in a recent study that further lowering the PM2.5 standard below the current level can provide an opportunity to save more lives and equalize the health of New York residents across income levels.
2 A PM2.5 reduction of 10% could reduce the number of deaths and hospital emissions by 300 and 200, respectively. The New York Health Department estimates that PM2.5 pollution contributes to more than 3,000 deaths and 2,000 hospital admissions for coronary and respiratory conditions annually. 1 Current New York air pollution levels continue to threaten communities, particularly lower-income neighborhoods, and raise the risk for heart and lung health complications.
#NYC WEATHER FREE#
While low PM2.5 levels meeting the < 10 μg/m 3 target are recommended, the WHO advises that no level of exposure has been shown to be free of health impacts. These annual PM2.5 levels are comparable to the air quality of Taos, New Mexico and Waco, Texas (6.9 and 6.8 μg/m 3, respectively). Since at least 2017, New York air quality has consistently fallen within this target (2017, 2018, and 2019 averaged 6.8, 7, and 7 μg/m 3 respectively). The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a slightly more stringent threshold for PM2.5 levels than the US EPA (< 10 μg/m 3). PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, is a dangerous and prevalent air pollutant, widely regarded as one of the most harmful to human health. For the last three years (2017, 2018, and 2019), New York’s air quality index (AQI) has remained less than 50, or “good.” The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines “good” air quality as air that poses little to no risk to health. What is the air quality in New York City?ĭespite being the most populous city in the United States, New York City has relatively clean air on average.
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