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New York has some of the worst air quality in the nation. Most of New York’s population live in areas that have unhealthy levels of soot and smog, which contribute to lung and heart disease. Poor air quality sends over 100,000 New Yorkers to emergency rooms each year due to asthma attacks and other health problems, and is responsible for thousands of premature deaths. NYPIRG is fighting to make our air safe to breathe by pushing for reduction of diesel emissions and other sources of air pollution.
In a recent victory for clean air, New York passed a law requiring the use of low-sulfur home heating oil in areas of the state that suffer from poor air quality, starting July 1, 2012. Also, as of October 14, 2009, open burning of garbage is now prohibited in New York. Backyard “burn barrels” emit smoke and toxic chemicals, including deadly dioxins, and also pose a serious fire hazard. It took years of work by NYPIRG and other groups to achieve these important public health measures.
Even as New York cleans up its in-state sources of air pollution, we are pushing for stronger federal laws and regulations. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants continue to take a toll on New Yorkers, as a recent report shows. Most of the pollution comes from power plants in the Midwest. NYPIRG is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen and finalize the federal Transport Rule to require states to reduce power plant emissions that cross state lines.