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The New York City Community Air SurveyResults from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
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Contributors
Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, Division ofEnvironmental Health, New York City Department of Healthand Mental Hygiene
Queens College City University of New York, Center for the Biology of Natural Systems, cbns-environmentalhealth.org
ZevRoss Spatial Analysis, zevross.com
Acknowledgements
The Health Department is grateful to the following agencies fortheir logistical support and advice:
New York City Office of Long-Term Planning and SustainabilityNew York City Department of TransportationNew York City Department of Parks and RecreationNew York City Department of Environmental ProtectionNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation
For more information about the Department of Health andMental Hygiene’s New York City Community Air Survey, visit nyc.gov/health/nyccas.
For additional data and information on New York City’s environment, sustainability and health outcomes, visitnyc.gov/health/tracking.
Suggested Citation:
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.New York City Community Air Survey. Results from years one and two: December 2008–December2010. New York, NY; June 2012. nyc.gov/health/nyccas.
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Table of Contents
Background.................................................................................................4
Methods.......................................................................................................5
Results.........................................................................................................7
Discussion.................................................................................................18
Appendix ...................................................................................................19
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
BackgroundNew York City launched its first comprehensiveenvironmental sustainability plan, PlaNYC, in 2007 toprotect and improve the City’s environment and quality oflife while addressing the challenges posed by populationgrowth, climate change, aging infrastructure, and anevolving economy. The original plan and the 2011 updatelaunched many initiatives to improve New York City airquality. One such initiative is the New York CityCommunity Air Survey (NYCCAS), the city’s firstcomprehensive assessment of street-level air quality andthe largest urban air pollution monitoring program of itskind in the country.
The program is designed to understand how average airpollution levels vary from place to place within the city.
This report summarizes the first two years of NYCCASmonitoring for five pollutants: fine particles (PM2.5),nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), sulfur dioxide(SO2) and ozone (O3). The results reinforce major findingsof previous reports:
� Concentrations of pollutants vary widely in differentparts of the city during summer and winter seasons.
� Boilers burning residual fuel oil (grade #4 and #6 heat-ing oil) continue to be major sources of air pollution inNew York City, especially in neighborhoods wherethere are many large buildings.
� Traffic emissions also contribute to higher pollution insome neighborhoods and near busy roadways acrossthe city.
These findings have already helped to spur laws,regulations and building owner actions to phase out theuse of the most polluting heating fuel. The anticipated airquality improvements will prevent hundreds of prematuredeaths in the coming years. Data summarized in thecurrent report provide a baseline from which to trackthese air quality improvements over time. NYCCAS datawill continue to guide city efforts to further reduceemissions and achieve the PlaNYC goal of achieving thecleanest air of any large U.S. city.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
In the two years following its December 2008 launch, theCommunity Air Survey measured street-level air pollutionat 150 locations across the city over every season of theyear (Figure 1), gathering data on common air pollutantsthat affect public health such as fine particles, blackcarbon, oxides of nitrogen and ozone (summer only),sulfur dioxide (winter only) and certain metals.
NYCCAS uses an established modeling approach knownas land-use regression (LUR) to provide air pollutionestimates for unmonitored locations. Land-use regressionhas been used to study air pollution exposure and healtheffects in other urban areas. The method examines howmeasured pollution levels vary in relation to traffic,buildings, ground cover and other neighborhood factorsnear the NYCCAS monitor locations. Using therelationship between sources and levels of air pollutantsat monitored locations, a statistical model estimates airpollution levels throughout city neighborhoods, includinglocations where no measurements were taken.
NYCCAS investigators used computerized databases thatmap features associated with combustion emissions andland cover to identify factors contributing to air pollutionpatterns. Using additional data sources and several dozenvariables, they identified a small subset for each pollutantthat best explained how its concentration varied fromplace to place.
Although the statistical models reasonably predict pollution concentrations at most monitoring locations, insome areas the model under- or over-estimated pollutionmeasurements. Therefore, as a final modeling step, westatistically identified areas where the model over- orunder-estimated pollution measures and adjusted themodel estimates accordingly. Further statistical methodswere used to smooth the estimates for mapping purposes. More detail on the land-use regression analysisand data sources used to identify factors contri-buting to air pollution patterns are available online atnyc.gov/health/nyccas. Because ozone is not emitteddirectly from sources such as tailpipes or boilers, but isproduced by chemical reactions involving sunlight andoxides of nitrogen near ground level, a modified modelingmethod was applied for predicting ozone levels based onestimated nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations.
Methods
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 1. New York City Community Air Survey monitoring locations
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Air pollution levels measured at NYCCAS locationsduring the second full year of NYCCAS (from De-cember 2009 to December 2010) stronglycorrelated with year one measurements. Thismeans that the same locations tended to havehigher than average pollution levels in each of thetwo years, reflecting fairly consistent patterns ofpollution sources like traffic and buildings. Thetwo-year maps provide estimates based on thecombined measurements taken during the firsttwo years of NYCCAS. Below each map, a tablelists the emission source indicators that were im-portant predictors of air pollution concentrations inland use regression models. The time trend chartsshow the average concentrations at NYCCASmonitoring locations for different levels (high,medium and low) of traffic density and buildingdensity across the first two years of NYCCAS.
Consistent with prior published NYCCAS reports,the maps show higher concentrations of fineparticles (Figure 2) and oxides of nitrogen(Figures 5 and 8) in midtown and lowerManhattan, and along busy freeways in sectionsof the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.Areas with a convergence of major emissionsources, such as buildings and traffic, had thehighest pollution levels. Also consistent with yearone data, winter sulfur dioxide levels (Figure 11)
are higher where large buildings are concentrated;they are not associated with traffic. While pollutantconcentrations vary by year, because of weatherand overall changes in emissions, these chartsshow that air quality is consistently worse inlocations with a concentration of emission sources.
An exception to the pattern is ozone (Figure 13),a secondary pollutant, which forms throughchemical reactions of other pollutants (oxides ofnitrogen and volatile organic compounds) in thepresence of sunlight. In locations with highconcentrations of oxides of nitrogen from “fresh”emissions (those directly emitted from a tailpipeor other source), ozone is rapidly consumedthrough a process known as scavenging. As aresult, ozone concentrations are often highest indownwind, suburban areas with less traffic.
Results
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 2. Map of estimated two year average PM2.5 concentrations, December 2008-December 2010
In a land-use regression model,1 the following source indicators were important predictors of the two year averagePM2.5 concentrations at NYCCAS monitoring sites (in order of importance):
Indicator Associated Sources and Interpretation
Estimated PM2.5 emissions from large building boilerswithin 1000 meters
Combustion of heating oil and natural gas
Area of industrial land use within 1000 meters Diesel exhaust particles from trucks and idling and travel-ing in industrial areas, industrial combustion equipment
Nighttime population within 450 meters Combustion of heating fuel
Truck traffic within 200 meters Diesel exhaust particles from motor vehicles
Road surface area within 50 meters Road dust that becomes airborne, emissions from motor vehicles
1 See appendix for a list of indicator sources.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 3. Seasonal average PM2.5 concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by traffic density2
Lower
12.7
2008-2009 Winter
15
10
5
PM
2.5
(µg/
m3)
0
9.4
13.4
16.1
12.3
10
Medium Higher
2009-2010 Winter
Lower
10.6
2009 Summer15
10
5
PM
2.5
(µg/
m3 )
0
12.1
10.8
12.8
14.2
12.6
Medium Higher
2010 Summer
Figure 4. Seasonal average PM2.5 concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by building density3
Lower
12.6
2008-2009 Winter
15
10
5
PM
2.5
(µg/
m3 )
0
9.3
13.8
15.8
12.3
10.2
Medium Higher
2009-2010 Winter
Lower
10.4
2009 Summer
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
PM
2.5
(µg/
m3 )
0
12
11.1
12.6
14.1
12.8
Medium Higher
2010 Summer
2 Nearby traffic is estimated within 1 km of sampling location. Each category (lower, medium, and higher) includes one-third of sampling sites, with a weighted traffic density of low, 126-11160; medium, 11160-21294; and high, 21294-43257 vehicle-kilometers per hour. Data source: New York MetropolitanTransportation Council.
3 Building density is estimated as total interior built space within 900m. Each category includes one-third of sampling sites, with total interior built space areaof low, 0-1.1; medium, 1.1-2.5; and high, 2.5-21.7 square kilometers. Data source: New York City Planning Map PLUTO buildings data.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 5. Map of estimated two year average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations, December 2008-December 2010
In a land-use regression model,4 the following source indicators were important predictors of the two year average NO2
concentrations at NYCCAS monitoring sites (in order of importance):
Indicator Associated Sources and Interpretation
Area of interior built space within 1000 meters Combustion of heating oil and natural gas
Area of impervious surface within 100 meters Emissions from motor vehicles
Location on a bus route Emissions from buses and other vehicles on busyroads, traffic congestion
Traffic density within 100 meters Emissions from motor vehicles
4 See appendix for a list of indicator sources.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 6. Seasonal average NO2 concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by traffic density5
Lower
27.3
2008-2009 Winter40
30
10
20
NO
2 (p
pb
)
0
24.2
30.4
38.8
33.3
26.3
Medium Higher
2009-2010 Winter
Lower
18.2
2009 Summer
30
25
20
15
10
5
NO
2 (p
pb
)0
16.9
21.2
31.7
30.1
20.4
Medium Higher
2010 Summer
Figure 7. Seasonal average NO2 concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by building density6
Lower
26.7
2008-2009 Winter40
30
10
20
NO
2 (p
pb
)
0
23.8
31.8
38
32.9
27.1
Medium Higher
2009-2010 Winter
Lower
17.5
2009 Summer
30
25
5
10
15
20
NO
2 (p
pb
)
0
16.9
22.6
31
28.9
21.5
Medium Higher
2010 Summer
4 See appendix for a list of indicator sources.
5 Nearby traffic is estimated within 1 km of sampling location. Each category (lower, medium, and higher) includes one-third of sampling sites, with a weighted traffic density of low, 126-11160; medium, 11160-21294; and high, 21294-43257 vehicle-kilometers per hour. Data source: New York MetropolitanTransportation Council.
6 Building density is estimated as total interior built space within 900m. Each category includes one-third of sampling sites, with total interior built space areaof low, 0-1.1; medium, 1.1-2.5; and high, 2.5-21.7 square kilometers. Data source: New York City Planning Map PLUTO buildings data.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 8. Map of estimated two year average nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, December 2008-December 2010
In a land-use regression model,7 the following source indicators were important predictors of the two year average NOconcentrations at NYCCAS monitoring sites (in order of importance):
Indicator Associated Sources and Interpretation
Number of building boilers within 250 meters Combustion of heating oil and natural gas
Length of truck route within 50 meters Emissions from trucks and other vehicles on busy roads
Bus traffic density within 100 meters Emissions from buses and other vehicles on busyroads, traffic congestion
Number of signaled intersections within 150 meters Emissions from motor vehicles, traffic congestion
Traffic density within 100 meters Emissions from motor vehicles
Modeled impact of large electricity generating units on nitrogen oxide concentrations
Emissions from power generation
7 See appendix for a list of indicator sources.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 9. Seasonal average NO concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by traffic density8
Lower
34.2
2008-2009 Winter60
10
20
50
40
30
NO
(pp
b)
0
27.4
37.8
54.9
45.2
29.9
Medium Higher
2009-2010 Winter
Lower
14.7
2009 Summer
30
25
5
10
15
20
NO
(pp
b)
0
11.3
15.7
31.3
23.7
12
Medium Higher
2010 Summer
Figure 10. Seasonal average NO concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by building density9
Lower
33.8
2008-2009 Winter
50
40
10
20
30
NO
(pp
b)
0
27.4
40.7
52.4
42.2
33
Medium Higher
2009-2010 Winter
Lower
15.2
2009 Summer30
25
5
10
15
20
NO
(pp
b)
0
12.1
18.7
27.8
20.2
14.7
Medium Higher
2010 Summer
8 Nearby traffic is estimated within 1 km of sampling location. Each category (lower, medium, and higher) includes one-third of sampling sites, with a weighted traffic density of low, 126-11160; medium, 11160-21294; and high, 21294-43257 vehicle-kilometers per hour. Data source: New York MetropolitanTransportation Council.
9 Building density is estimated as total interior built space within 900m. Each category includes one-third of sampling sites, with total interior built space areaof low, 0-1.1; medium, 1.1-2.5; and high, 2.5-21.7 square kilometers. Data source: New York City Planning Map PLUTO buildings data.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 11. Map of estimated winter average sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations, December 2008-December 2010
In a land-use regression model,10 the following source indicators were important predictors of the two year averageSO2 concentrations at NYCCAS monitoring sites (in order of importance):
Indicator Associated Sources and Interpretation
Number of building boiler burning residual fuel oil within1000 meters
Combustion of #4 and #6 heating oil
Nighttime population within 1000 meters Combustion of heating fuel
10See appendix for a list of indicator sources.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 12. Seasonal average SO2 concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by building density11
Lower
3.1
2008-2009 Winter8
6
2
4
SO
2 (p
pb
)
0
2.1
5.2
7.8
5.7
3.5
Medium Higher
2009-2010 Winter
11Building density is estimated as total interior built space within 900m. Each category includes one-third of sampling sites, with total interior built space areaof low, 0-1.1; medium, 1.1-2.5; and high, 2.5-21.7 square kilometers. Data source: New York City Planning Map PLUTO buildings data.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 13. Map of estimated summer average ozone (O3) concentrations, December 2008-December 2010
In a land-use regression model,12 the following source indicators were important predictors of the two year average O3
concentrations at NYCCAS monitoring sites (in order of importance):
Indicator Associated Sources and Interpretation
Level of NO2 measured at the same location Nitrogen oxides at elevated concentrations react withozone and reduce levels
Tree cover within 50 meters Reduced levels through reactions of ozone with leaf surfaces
12See appendix for a list of indicator sources.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Figure 14. Seasonal average O3 concentrations at NYCCAS sites, by traffic density13
Lower
26.6
2009 Summer35
30
25
5
10
15
20
O3
(pp
b)
0
34.5
24.8
19.9
27.2
32.7
Medium Higher
2010 Summer
13Nearby traffic is estimated within 1 km of sampling location. Each category (lower, medium and higher) includes one-third of sampling sites, with a weightedtraffic density of low, 126-11160; medium, 11160-21294; and high, 21294-43257 vehicle-kilometers per hour. Data source: New York Metropolitan Trans-portation Council.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
DiscussionThe first two years of data from NYCCAS documentconsistent neighborhood differences in air pollutionand establish a baseline for monitoring thesedifferences over time. While we anticipate majorimprovements in the most polluted neighborhoodsas the “dirtiest” heating fuels are phased out,NYCCAS data demonstrate the need for contin-uing and expanding measures to reduce harmfulemissions from traffic and other sources within ourcity. For more information on PlaNYC air qualityinitiatives and progress, visit PlaNYC.
For neighborhood level air pollution estimates andother environmental, health and sustainabilityindicators, visit the Environmental Public Health andSustainability Tracking Portal.
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The New York City Community Air Survey, Results from Years One and Two: December 2008–December 2010
Appendix
Pollutant Indicator Associated Sources and Interpretation
PM2.5
Estimated PM2.5 emissions from large buildingboilers within 1000 meters
NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)permit data, 2008
Area of industrial land use within 1000 meters PLUTO™ data, 2007
Truck traffic within 200 meters NYMTC traffic data, 2005
Road surface area within 50 meters NYC Department of Parks and Recreation LandCover Map, 2010
NO2
Area of interior built space within 1000 meters PLUTO™ data, 2007
Area of impervious surface within 100 meters USGS, 2001
Location on a bus route NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)
Traffic density within 100 meters NYMTC traffic data, 2005
NO
Number of building boilers within 250 meters NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)permit data, 2008
Length of truck route within 50 meters NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)
Bus traffic density within 100 meters NYMTC traffic data, 2005
Number of signaled intersections within 150 meters
NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)
Traffic density within 100 meters ALIS network; MPSI TrafficMetrix™ data
Modeled impact of large electricity generatingunits on oxides of nitrogen concentrations
EPA 2005 National Emissions Inventory modeledusing the CALPUFF dispersion model (AKRF)
SO2
Number of building boilers burning residual fuel oil within 1000 meters
NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)permit data, 2008
Nighttime population within 1000 meters Oak Ridge National Laboratory LandScan™ data,2001
O3
Level of NO2 measured at the same location NYCCAS monitoring data
Tree cover within 50 meters NYC Department of Parks and Recreation LandCover Map, 2010
Data sources for emission source indicators
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