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Air Quality in New York Metropolitan Area Improving; EPA Puts New York City Portion of Metropolitan Area on List of Areas Meeting Carbon Monoxide Standard

Release Date: 05/03/2002
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(#02036) New York, New York -- Air quality in New York City now meets the federal carbon monoxide standard prompting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add the city to the growing list of areas that meet the standard. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) requested that EPA take the city off the list of areas violating federal standards for carbon monoxide, a colorless odorless gas emitted primarily from vehicles. Pollution controls on cars and cleaner fuels are credited with turning the area around. New York City violated the standard more than 150 times in 1978, but has met the standard for nearly 10 years. In August 2001, EPA proposed “redesignating” the area as one that now meets the standard. The Agency took public comment and is now finalizing its decision. "This is one pollution problem that we have solved in our area, thanks in large measure to cleaner cars and better fuel", said Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. "There's no doubt New Yorkers breathe healthier air today than they did a decade ago. Our goal now is further reductions of smog, soot and toxic air pollutants in our urban air." “Under the leadership of Governor Pataki, New York State has made significant progress in reducing air pollution and improving air quality, which clearly benefits all New Yorkers,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said. “Programs that control harmful vehicle emissions and other sources of pollution have been highly effective and are producing cleaner and healthier air in urban areas and communities across New York State.” The New York metropolitan area still exceeds federal standards for ground level ozone, commonly known as smog. NYSDEC has a clean air plan to cut pollution and meet these standards. EPA has set more stringent standards for smog and a new standard for fine particles, which will go into effect over the next few years. While Court challenges delayed their implementation, those challenges have now been resolved. States will be required to designate areas that do not meet the new standards and to develop plans to bring these areas into compliance.