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Outdoor Air

Outdoor Air and Health

Air pollution is one of the most important environmental threats to people who live in urban areas. Exposures are linked to respiratory and heart diseases, cancers, and premature deaths. Meanwhile, emissions, levels of exposure, and population vulnerability vary across neighborhoods.

Choose a neighborhood from the map to get a report.

Deaths due to PM2.5

Estimated annual deaths due to PM2.5 air pollution. Estimating these deaths is a way to understand how air pollution increases mortality.

Asthma emergency department visits due to PM2.5

ED visits for asthma due to PM2.5 air pollution. These represent part of the health burden of air pollution.

Respiratory hospitalizations due to PM2.5 (age 20+)

Hospitalizations for respiratory issues due to PM2.5 pollution (among people over age 20). These represent part of the health burden of air pollution.

Cardiovascular hospitalizations due to PM2.5 (age 40+)

Hospitalizations for cardiovascular issues due to PM2.5 (among people over age 40). These represent part of the health burden of air pollution.

Cardiac and respiratory deaths due to Ozone

Deaths due to cardiac or respiratory issues linked to ozone. These show how air pollution increases mortality.

Asthma emergency departments visits due to Ozone

ED visits for asthma due to ozone. These are part of the health burden of air pollution.

Asthma hospitalizations due to Ozone

Hospitalizations for asthma due to ozone. These are part of the health burden of air pollution.

Boiler emissions (SO2)

Boilers are a common source of SO2, which can worsen lung disease.

Boiler emissions (PM2.5)

Boilers are a common source of PM2.5, which can harm health.

Boiler emissions (NOx)

Boilers are a common source of NOx emissions, which can harm health.

Fine particles (PM 2.5)

Concentration of fine particles in the air. Fine particles are emitted by vehicles, building boilers, and other combustion — and are a major form of air pollution that harms health. Neighborhood sensors measure PM2.5 at the street-level, where people are most active. These sensors are designed to let us measure differences in air pollution over time and locations within New York City.

Black carbon

Concentration of black carbon in the air. Black carbon is a major component of fine particles, which contribute to both short-term health effects and chronic illness

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the air. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant formed by combustion. It causes breathing problems and contributes to smog and acid rain.

Ozone (O3)

Concentration of ozone in the air. Ozone is a common air pollutant that can harm breathing and worsen respiratory conditions.

Outdoor Air Toxics - Benzene

Benzene is an air pollutant resulting from motor vehicle and industrial emissions and tobacco smoke. Benzene is a known carcinogen that can also harm bone marrow and red blood cell function.

Outdoor Air Toxics - Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is an air pollutant resulting from car exhaust and the manufacture of industrial products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can also cause irritation to eyes and lungs and increase risk of asthma and trigger asthma symptoms.

Traffic density

Annual vehicle miles travelled. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.

Traffic density (cars)

Annual vehicle miles travelled by cars. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.

Traffic density (trucks)

Annual vehicle miles travelled by trucks. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.