Breathe Easy, Beware? Long Island’s Stunning Truth About its Cleanliness

Long Island has its pretty beaches, pretty parks, and a suburban environment—but is its air healthy that we're actually breathing? With increased concerns about pollution, industrial production, and car jams, Long Islanders have started taking a closer examination at what's in the atmosphere surrounding them. With many thinking Long Island's coastal, ocean-brisk environment will naturally translate to a refreshing environment, new statistics paint a different picture.

The Current Status of Long Island’s Atmospheric Quality

According to the **American Lung Association’s 2024 "State of the Air" Report**, Nassau and Suffolk counties received a **"C" grade for air quality**, a level of concern considered to be moderate. **Ground-level ozone (smog)** and **particulate matter (PM2.5)** are the biggest offenders, both responsible for causing respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and long-term consequences for one's health. On warm, summertime days, **sulfate concentrations in Suffolk County go 20% over federally mandated safe concentrations**, Long Islanders, and most particularly kids and seniors, at increased risk.

What’s in Long Island’s Contaminated Air?

Long Island’s problem with air pollution is a complex one. **Motor vehicle emissions** make a big contribution, with near **2.9 million residents** and over **2 million registered automobiles**, creating congested highways. As studies have determined, **transportation creates near 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State**, with Long Island Expressway (LIE) and Sunrise Highway two of its most contaminated corridors. **Industrial and power plant operations** make a contribution, with Long Island still having **natural gas and oil-fired power plants**, pumping out carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. **Construction and urban sprawl** contribute additional dust, diesel-fuelled machinery emissions, and fine particulate matter, lingering in the atmosphere. **Climate change and Canadian wildfires** and **wildfires during certain times of the year** make air worse, with **smoke alone from Canadian wildfires having boosted fine particulate matter in 2023 by 35%**

Health Consequences of Poor Quality of Air

Poor air isn’t an environmental issue alone—additionally, it’s a public health epidemic. Long Island has one of the state’s most prevalent asthma cases, with a 12% increase in ER admissions for asthma over five years in Suffolk County alone. Long-term inhalation of high levels of ozone have even been proven to cause increased cases of lung cancer, strokes, and early deaths. Recent studies at **Stony Brook University** have discovered that residing in **half a mile** a high-emitting highway puts one at a 30% increased risk for developing disease in one’s lungs over less traveled locations. Most at risk, and most vulnerable, are senior citizens and children, whose lung function is compromised and whose current afflictions become exacerbated with long-term exposure to poor air.

Is There an Improvement in Air Quality?

There’s a mix of both positive and negative trends. **Power plant emissions have decreased 18% over a decade** with added use of solar and wind and tightening environment controls, but vehicle emissions have continued to rise, undermining many of the gains. There’s a persistent high level of **summertime ozone** and Long Island’s position, downwind of NYC, such that a lot of city smog blows out onto our Island. Progress in reducing industrial emissions, but transportation-related emissions are a persistent issue, with warnings that, in the lack of a significant transition towards cleaner forms of transportation, air will not become cleaner and could even worsen.

What Can Long Islanders Do to Improve Quality of the Air?

While policy and infrastructure development matter, one can make a positive impact at an individual level too. **Reducing car use** via carpooling, use of public transportation, or driving an electric car can have a significant impact in terms of lowered emissions. The MTA is expanding its collection of electric buses, but individual commuters switching over will have a larger impact. **Transitioning to clean energy** via installation of solar panels, community solar programs, and use of renewable sources lessens consumption of fossil fuels. Keeping an eye out for daily reportings and **keeping a lid off during high-pollution days** can lessen health peril, specifically for asthma and similar afflictions. **Greening spaces** Planting trees can remove CO2 and toxins, and urban parks and spaces become critical for long-term air purity, therefore. Finally, **pushing for stricter policies** such as expansion of EV infrastructure, stricter controls for industries, and state funding for cleaner programs will make long-term improvements in air purity a reality.

Long Island’s air quality varies by region, and if you’re looking for a healthier place to call home, I can help you find properties in low-traffic areas, near green spaces, and away from major pollution sources. Whether you’re looking for a seaside escape, a tree-lined neighborhood, or an energy-efficient home, I’ll guide you to the best options for cleaner, fresher living.

📩 Email me at Dean@TheBeaconTeam.com
🌐 Visit www.TheBeaconTeam.com to start your search for a healthier home today!

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