Throughout its 2 decades of existence, New York’s 311 helpline has seen more than 500 million calls, through which help and information on non-emergency municipal services has been offered.
Although strange or curious calls often make headlines, the true purpose of 311 is to address serious issues that affect the daily lives of New Yorkers, ranging from cases of police abuse to changes in reported sightings of rats.
But also, among the calls, several New York residents have expressed their concern regarding health problems caused, mainly, by 2 serious problems that plague some areas of the city: poor air quality and mold.
On this last point, HouseFresh analyzed data from 311 calls in the last 12 months to identify the neighborhoods with the most complaints about both problems, discovering the following:
1) The Bronx leads in mold complaints, with 73.31 calls per 10,000 inhabitants per year.
2) Manhattan has the most complaints about indoor air quality, with 12.12 per 10,000 people per year.
3) Manhattan also leads in outdoor air quality complaints, with 13.47 per 10,000 inhabitants per year.
4) Complaints about indoor air quality in Queens have increased 82.28% in the last 5 years, marking the biggest change in the study.
Areas of New York with the most and least mold problems
The Bronx leads with 73.31 mold complaints per 10,000 residents, almost double that of Manhattan, despite complaints in the latter increasing 32.59% in the last 5 years.
The Bronx is home to a dense public housing population, where managing mold can be complicated. Approximately 8% of children in the Bronx suffer from chronic lung diseases and asthma rates in the South Bronx are 8 times higher than the national average. Reports of mold in the Bronx have increased 17.12% in the last 5 years.
The ZIP codes most notable for mold reports are 10030 in Harlem, Manhattan, and 10474 in Hunts Point, Bronx. These data highlight disparities in mold distribution across the city and the need to urgently address this environmental health issue.
Hunts Point has been noted for a number of dilapidated buildings, largely the responsibility of the owners. The NYC 10040 neighborhood, which encompasses parts of Washington Heights and Inwood in Manhattan, is 10th in mold complaints. With 99.25 complaints per 10,000 residents last year, it saw a 200% increase since 2017, a dramatic increase in 5 years. These figures reflect the urgent need to address housing issues in these communities.
The areas of New York with the most and least problems due to poor indoor air quality
Indoor air quality in New York can be affected by a variety of issues that concern its residents, such as:
1) Construction site dust: Construction activities can generate dust, which affects air quality in surrounding areas and can be harmful to respiratory health.
2) Chemical odors: Chemical odors, such as soot and fumes, can be emitted from different sources, such as industrial buildings or vehicles, and can contaminate indoor air if they penetrate buildings.
3) Dry Cleaning Odors: The chemicals used in dry cleaning can release strong odors that can affect the air quality in nearby homes or businesses.
4) Wastewater and feces: Poor ventilation in residential or commercial buildings can contribute to the build-up of unpleasant odors, such as sewage and feces, affecting indoor air quality.
5) Smoke and debris from fires: Neighborhood fires can release smoke, dust, and debris into the air, which can contaminate the indoor air of nearby buildings and pose a health risk to residents.
These indoor air quality issues are significant concerns for New Yorkers and can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of affected communities. It is critical to address these concerns effectively to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all city residents.
Manhattan leads in indoor air quality complaints, with 44.6% more complaints per 10,000 residents compared to second-place Brooklyn. Although complaints in Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn have increased significantly more than in Manhattan in recent years, last year there were 12.12 complaints per 10,000 residents.
The 10282 ZIP code, which covers the area between Battery Park and Rockefeller Park, north of the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan, is the area with the highest number of indoor air quality complaints in New York. Here, complaints are more than double the city average. Even though the developers of this area were pioneers in sustainable construction, Battery Park continues to face high population density. The notable discrepancy between the area’s famous green spaces and the densely populated residential spaces highlights the air quality problems experienced in the area.
Meanwhile, In the New Hyde Park area, zip code 11040, complaints about air quality last year were minimal, with only 0.23 per 10,000 people. A previous HouseFresh study found that New Hyde Park also has the fewest 311 complaints related to sanitation, suggesting either the area is very clean or residents are reluctant to file complaints.
2 ZIP code areas have seen a significant increase in indoor air quality complaints. Complaints in Woodhaven (ZIP 11421) increased 4,100%, while in Middle Village (11379) they increased 1,480%. Interestingly, Woodhaven is near the Ozone Park neighborhood, whose name originated before ozone gas was fully understood, associating it with fresh, healthy air. However, ozone, as a gas, has a bleach-like odor.
Additionally, in the area near the Woodhaven neighborhood, the Glendale Superfund site has been identified as sending a plume of toxic tetrachloroethylene into the air due to industrial activities, dating back nearly 70 years, when a textile mill occupied the site. Although the Department of Health has stated that there is no continuing danger, the problem persists due to an ongoing remediation process involving local residents.
The areas of New York with the most and least problems due to poor outdoor air quality
Outdoor air quality can affect the entire city simultaneously, and the Department of Environmental Conservation uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure safety levels.
Citywide Air Quality Action Days occur when the AQI is between 101 and 150. This can be due to several factors, such as local fires, wildfire smoke, chemical odors, and vehicle emissions.
Although the Bronx is the third worst borough for indoor air quality complaints, its residents have the fewest complaints (per 10,000 people) about outdoor air quality compared to any other borough. On the other hand, Manhattan leads in outdoor air quality complaints, with 52.42% more than Brooklyn. These data highlight the importance of monitoring and addressing air quality issues throughout the city, both indoors and outdoors.
Several ZIP codes in lower Manhattan are among those receiving the most complaints about air quality.SoHo occupies much of the 10012 ZIP code, where the fourth-highest number of complaints were filed.
The Bronx ZIP code, 10462, has shown the most significant growth in complaints over the past 5 years. This zip code covers Parkchester, Westchester Square and Castle Hill. Across the Bronx, the Co-op City area has seen the largest reduction in complaints.
Approximately 4 in 5 homes in Parkchester have air conditioning installed, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The air in Parkchester has been determined to contain 7.6 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic meter, slightly above the city average and slightly below the Bronx average. This information provides important insight into air quality in the Parkchester community and may be helpful in understanding and addressing local environmental challenges.
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2024-04-02 21:04:51
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