Air Toxics: How Far Has New Jersey Come in Almost a Quarter Century?

Wednesday April 19, 2023 • 9:30 a.m.

The goal of the 2023 Clean Air Council public hearing is to determine the amount of progress New Jersey has made in almost a quarter century of emission control and regulation of air toxics.  The Clean Air Council last held a public hearing on the specific impact of air toxics in New Jersey in 2000.  The Council intends to address the following issues:

 

  • What were the historic and current sources of air toxics? How has New Jersey’s air toxics profile changed?
  • What are the health effects and potential exposures to air toxics?
  • What does ambient air monitoring and modeling over the past 23 years indicate are the trends for air toxics?
  • How should the department identify emerging air contaminants and develop programs to minimize their impact?
  • What risk assessment tools and other studies are, or should be available as technology and science has advanced for use in regulatory determinations?
  • What are some creative solutions to reducing air toxics impacts? (Industrial vs. Commercial vs. Consumer)
  • Are new regulations needed? Are current rules adequately enforced?
  • What are the impacts resulting from the recommendations made in the 2000 Clean Air Council report? Are these recommendations still relevant and what new recommendations should be made?
Overview

Air toxics are substances present in the atmosphere which are recognized by the USEPA and the NJDEP as being potentially harmful to human health.

The 1990 Cumulative Exposure Project (CEP) results by the USEPA in late 1998 showed alarming estimates of air toxics exposure across the State of New Jersey. Although a program to address air toxics has existed in the NJDEP since 1979, the CEP highlighted the need to take a thorough look at air toxics exposures and sources in the state and to develop a logical plan for reducing potentially high exposures among our citizens.

The Council has decided to revisit the state of air toxics in New Jersey to gauge progress in reducing air toxics and identify areas of greatest need to reduce future health impacts.

The Council is planning to make recommendations to the department on future program strategies to assess and address risks.

How to Testify

The Clean Air Council has invited guest speakers who will address many of these issues in formal presentations. Members of the public are encouraged to join the conversation and submit detailed written comments for incorporation into the hearing report.

In Writing
Written statements in Microsoft Word will be accepted until May 5, 2023. Send to:

George.Berdomas@njdepwptest.net or

New Jersey Clean Air Council
Mail code 401-02
401 E. State Street
2nd Floor, P.O. Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420

In Person
If you wish to address the Council, reach out before April 1, 2023 to:
George Berdomas
609-940-5946
or
George.Berdomas@njdepwptest.net

Who?

New Jersey Clean Air Council

What?

Annual Public Meeting for the New Jersey Clean Air Council

Agenda

When?

Wednesday April 19, 2023

9:30 a.m.

Where?

It is expected that this public hearing will be held in person with the opportunity to participate virtually.

N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection
401 E. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625