The American Lung Association of the City of New York recognizes that public policy change – legislative and regulatory action – at all levels of government is key to achieving its mission: To prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The ALACNY supports an advocacy program that strengthens government, corporate and community policies to advance our cause.

For the sixth year in a row, New York City failed the nation’s clean air report card for ozone and particulate matter, according to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air: 2005 report. Additionally, all five New York City boroughs are considered “non attainment” areas for ozone and particulate matter, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The reality is that New York City’s bad air makes people sick and cuts lives short. In order to reduce the triggers of lung disease, the ALACNY strongly supports legislative and regulatory policies to improve air quality in outdoor and indoor environments.

Environmental Health Initiatives:

The American Lung Association of the City of New York has been effectively working in conjunction with other environmental groups to communicate our concerns and find alternative solutions to economically meet the needs of the city without contaminating the air we breathe. Below is a snapshot of what we have worked to accomplish and continue to work for through our advocacy efforts in New York City:

Reduce Diesel Emissions from Construction Sites: Local Law 77, signed into law in 2004, effectively mandates all construction vehicles use retrofit technology for projects on city owned and leased property.

Control Emissions from City Vehicles: Recently passed legislation will ensure the clean up of New York City-owned dirty diesel vehicles, including sanitation trucks and sight-seeing buses, and ensure that at least 95 percent of the light and medium duty vehicles purchased in the fleet

Ensure Clean School Buses: There is now a city law mandating that school buses are retrofit and using clean diesel fuel in the next two years. Our job isn’t done yet as we continue to advocate for a mandatory retirement age for school buses, to ensure that children can breathe safely on their ride to school.

Reduce Pesticide Use and Promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Legislation recently passed to reduce the use of pesticides in schools and require neighbor notification of pesticide use. While this legislation promotes integrated pest management, we need to continue to advocate for IPM programs in all New York City schools.

Building Green: New York City recently passed legislation mandating that all new city owned buildings conform to strict LEED standards, significantly improving indoor air quality for thousands of city employees and school children.

Put Hybrid Taxis on Our Streets: City law now allows for the use of cleaner, hybrid vehicles as taxis on our streets. We will continue to encourage taxi owners to go green and advocate for incentives for taxi owners to buy clean fuel vehicles.

Change the Way Our City Handles Solid Waste: The Lung Association supported efforts to overhaul the way our city transports its trash through the Solid Waste Management Plan. By converting the existing land based transfer system to a marine based system, we can work to take thousands of trucks off the road, especially in our most overburdened communities. Efforts continue to ensure the equitable distribution of waste transfer stations and use of the cleanest fuels and technology possible.

Clean Up Home Heating Oil: The ALACNY is currently working to promote cleaner home heating oil use in New York. By reducing the sulfur content of home heating oil and using biofuels, we can significantly reduce the particulate matter emitted into the air.

Join our fight to promote clean air and lung health! Become an E-Advocate with the American Lung Association of the City of New York at www.alany.org.

For more information, please contact Corri Freedman, Director of Advocacy, at 212-889-3370, ext.14 or cfreedman@alany.org.