Outdoor Air and Health in
Washington Heights
Air pollution is one of the most important environmental threats to urban populations and while all people are exposed, pollutant emissions, levels of exposure, and population vulnerability vary across neighborhoods. Exposures to common air pollutants have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and premature deaths.
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Neighborhood Information
Washington Heights is comprised of Zip codes 10031,10032,10033,10034,10039,10040
Outdoor Air Pollutants
Estimated annual average concentrations calculated from a model that used NYC Community Air Survey measurements.
Sulfur dioxide:
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)(Mean ppb) Winter 2015-16
In Washington Heights, the sulfur dioxide (so2)(mean ppb) winter 2015-16 is Better than the NYC average.
Sulfur dioxide comes from burning certain types of fuel oil. As an air pollutant, it can can worsen lung diseases.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Nitrogen dioxide:
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)(Mean ppb) Annual Average 2018
In Washington Heights, the nitrogen dioxide (no2)(mean ppb) annual average 2018 is Middle than the NYC average.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which include nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are a group of pollutants formed by combusion that can cause damage to lung tissue, breathing and respiratory problems, as well as contribute to smog and acid rain.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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PM2.5 (Fine particles) :
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)(Mean mcg per cubic meter) Annual Average 2018
In Washington Heights, the fine particulate matter (pm2.5)(mean mcg per cubic meter) annual average 2018 is Middle than the NYC average.
Fine particles are emitted by vehicles, building boilers, and other combustion - and are a major form of air pollution that harms health.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Ozone:
Ozone (O3)(Mean ppb) Summer 2018
In Washington Heights, the ozone (o3)(mean ppb) summer 2018 is Worse than the NYC average.
Ozone is a common air pollutant that can harm breathing and worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Health Burden: Fine Particles (PM2.5)
Estimated health events attributable to PM2.5 exposure over natural background levels in NYC (average annual rate per 100,000 residents).
PM2.5 asthma ED visits (children) :
Asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age 2015-2017 is Better than the NYC average.
PM2.5-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden imposed by fine particle air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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PM2.5 asthma ED visits (children) :
Asthma emergency department visits in adults 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the asthma emergency department visits in adults 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
PM2.5-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden imposed by fine particle air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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PM2.5 health burden (heart) :
Cardiovascular hospitalizations in adults aged 40 years and older. 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the cardiovascular hospitalizations in adults aged 40 years and older. 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
PM2.5-attributable cardiovascular hospitalizations represent part of the health burden imposed by fine particle air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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PM2.5 health burden (lungs) :
Respiratory hospitalizations in adults aged 20 years and older 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the respiratory hospitalizations in adults aged 20 years and older 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Estimating hospitalizations that can be linked to PM2.5 is a way to understand how air pollution impacts public health.
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Compared to NYC
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PM2.5 health burden (heart) :
Cardiovascular hospitalizations in adults aged 40 years and older. 2009-2011
In Washington Heights, the cardiovascular hospitalizations in adults aged 40 years and older. 2009-2011 is Middle than the NYC average.
PM2.5-attributable cardiovascular hospitalizations represent part of the health burden imposed by fine particle air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Deaths from PM2.5:
Deaths due to all causes among adults aged 30 years and older 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the deaths due to all causes among adults aged 30 years and older 2015-2017 is Worse than the NYC average.
Estimating deaths that can be linked to PM2.5 is a way to understand how air pollution increases mortality.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Health Burden: Ozone (O3)
Estimated health events attributable to ozone exposure over natural background levels in NYC (average annual rate per 100,000 residents).
Ozone asthma ED visits (children) :
Asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the asthma emergency department visits among children under 18 years of age 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Ozone asthma ED visits (children) :
Asthma emergency department visits among adults 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the asthma emergency department visits among adults 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma ED visits represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Ozone asthma hospitalizations (children) :
Asthma hospitalizations among children under 18 years of age 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the asthma hospitalizations among children under 18 years of age 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma hospitalizations represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Ozone asthma hospitalizations (children) :
Asthma hospitalizations among adults 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the asthma hospitalizations among adults 2015-2017 is Middle than the NYC average.
Ozone-attributable asthma hospitalizations represent part of the health burden of ozone air pollution.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Deaths from ozone:
Deaths due to cardiac and respiratory causes among all residents 2015-2017
In Washington Heights, the deaths due to cardiac and respiratory causes among all residents 2015-2017 is Worse than the NYC average.
Estimating heart and respiratory deaths that can be linked to ozone is a way to understand how air pollution increases mortality.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Outdoor Air Toxics
Estimated annual average concentrations of known carcinogens that are part of a class of pollutants also known as hazardous air pollutants.
Benzene:
Benzene (µg/m3) 2011
In Washington Heights, the benzene (µg/m3) 2011 is Better than the NYC average.
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.
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Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde (µg/m3) 2011
In Washington Heights, the formaldehyde (µg/m3) 2011 is Better than the NYC average.
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.
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Traffic Density
Estimated millions of annual vehicle miles traveled per km2. Vehicle miles traveled is an indicator of emissions from automobile exhaust, brake wear and tire wear.
Traffic:
All vehicles 2016
In Washington Heights, the all vehicles 2016 is Better than the NYC average.
Traffic density is a measure of the average number of vehicles that occupy specified area. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.
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Car traffic:
Cars 2016
In Washington Heights, the cars 2016 is Better than the NYC average.
Traffic density is a measure of the average number of vehicles that occupy specified area. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.
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Truck traffic:
Trucks 2016
In Washington Heights, the trucks 2016 is Better than the NYC average.
Traffic density is a measure of the average number of vehicles that occupy specified area. Traffic density can influence health as a source of air pollution and traffic-related injuries.
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Compared to NYC
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Heating Fuel Emissions
Estimated annual boiler emissions per km2 as of January 2015. Calculated using heating fuel type on NYC boiler permits and estimates of boiler activity.
Boiler emissions (SO2):
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) tons 2015
In Washington Heights, the sulfur dioxide (so2) tons 2015 is Better than the NYC average.
Boilers are a common source of SO2, which can worsen lung disease.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC
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Boiler emissions (PM2.5):
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) tons 2015
In Washington Heights, the fine particulate matter (pm2.5) tons 2015 is Better than the NYC average.
Boilers are a common source of PM2.5, which can harm health.
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Compared to NYC
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Boiler emissions (NOx):
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) tons 2015
In Washington Heights, the nitrogen oxides (nox) tons 2015 is Better than the NYC average.
Boilers are a common source of NOx emissions, which can harm health.
Neighborhood Comparison
Compared to NYC