New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced May 5 to 9, 2025, is Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW). The public awareness event is held in coordination with part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nationwide campaign to share information about efforts to protect and improve air quality. The theme for this year is “Stay Air Aware.”

“Nothing is more precious than the air we breathe and the Department of Environmental Conservation has worked tirelessly to protect clean air for New Yorkers,” Acting Commissioner Lefton said. “New York State’s Air Quality experts at the Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health have a proven track record of reducing harmful emissions to protect public health and the environment. Air Quality Awareness Week helps the public take action to ‘Stay Air Aware’ by learning about the pollutants that could impact your health, signing up for air quality alerts and newsletters, and reading the air quality resources on DEC’s website and social media to stay informed and be safe.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “New Yorkers have excellent tools like airnow.gov that allow for easy air quality monitoring. In the morning, I check the weather on my phone and the air quality, which is part of my morning routine. Knowing air quality is especially important for those with heart and lung diseases, as well as the young and those over 65.”

Throughout the week, DEC will promote a different air quality topic on its social media platforms and highlight state initiatives and investments to promote clean air.  

Air pollution can damage public health and natural resources in a variety of ways. Hot summer weather sets the stage for two major pollutants of concern for human health: the formation of ozone (O₃) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. Fish and wildlife show harmful effects from acid rain and mercury in air. Greenhouse gases in the air are changing the world's climate and contributing to harmful impacts including extreme heat, deadly flooding, drought, fires, rising sea levels, and severe storms.

Air pollutants originate from many human activities. Most pollutants come from:

• on- and off-road vehicles and power equipment;
• power plants that burn oil, gas, or coal;
• heating and cooling of residential and commercial buildings; and
• industries that manufacture chemicals and other goods.

New York State leads the nation with some of the most stringent air quality guidelines and regulations to help protect public health and the environment. Due in large part to these requirements and the ongoing efforts of DEC’s dedicated air quality staff, statewide emissions of pollutants from major facilities were significantly reduced from 2000 to 2023 by the following percentages:

• Particulate matter (PM) – 90 percent;
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) - 98 percent;
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – 84 percent;
• Volatile organic compounds (VOC) – 71 percent;
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) – 59 percent; and
• Hazardous air pollutants (HAP) - 72 percent.

From 2000 to 2023, monitored ambient levels of pollutants statewide were also reduced:

• Particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) – 42 percent
• SO2 – 95 percent
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – 37 percent
• Ozone – 8 percent
  

Air Quality Alerts and Forecasting

DEC’s Division of Air Resources closely monitors air quality conditions statewide and works with the State Department of Health to issue timely public health advisories that millions of New Yorkers depend on each year. Visit dec.ny.gov for updated forecasts and information about air quality index levels, and http://www.health.ny.gov/ for information on health risks and precautions related to air quality.

Community Air Quality

Residents and community-based organizations often approach DEC when they have air quality concerns. DEC uses existing air quality data, air quality model results, and information on local sources of air pollution to better understand the community's concern. In a limited number of instances, this has led to DEC conducting a more in-depth air quality study such as in Tonawanda, and the south end of Albany.

More recently the DEC has completed the collection of air quality data for the statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative. This initiative gathered air quality data in 10 disadvantaged communities across New York. DEC created an overview of the initiative and detailed interactive “story maps” of the 10 communities using the monitoring results, including mapping tools to display the mobile monitoring findings, air pollution sources, and locations of sensitive populations like schools and nursing homes.

Air Quality Awareness Week

AQAW provides an opportunity for people to learn about what causes poor air quality and how people can prepare for and respond to events and environments with poor air quality – not just during the month of May, but year-round.

Follow DEC information throughout the week #AQAW2024. Daily topics highlighted throughout the week on DEC’s social media platforms (@NYSDEC) include:

• Monday, May 5 – Wildland Fires and Smoke
• Tuesday, May 6 – Asthma and Your Health 
• Wednesday, May 7 – Air Pollution and Transportation 
• Thursday, May 8 – The Air Quality Index 
• Friday, May 9 – Clean Air Actions

To follow and receive updates on DEC air news throughout the year, subscribe to the Air Mail! Newsletter at https://dec.ny.gov/news/dec-delivers.

More information on the national EPA AQAW can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/air-quality/air-quality-awareness-week.

Everyone can help significantly reduce pollution by following tips on Living the Green Life.