Proclaim Air Quality Week

Senate Resolution No. 5076 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30-May 4, 2018 as Air Quality Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those organizations which focus on improving air quality in order to benefit the health of our citizens, while setting the highest level of environmental standards for the state and country; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30-May 4, 2018 as Air Quality Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Air Quality Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, The EPA and its AirNow partners, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Forest Service (USFS) and the United States Department of State have designated this special week to remind people of the importance of air quality and how air quality forecasts can play an important part in our daily lives; and WHEREAS, It is important that individuals are made aware of the effects they have on air quality and air pollution and vice versa; and WHEREAS, This year's theme is entitled "Air Quality Where You Are"; the 2018 topics include: AirNow - 20th Anniversary!, Health (World Asthma Day), Wildfires, Citizen Science/Air Quality Sensors, and Air Quality Around the World; and WHEREAS, Ozone- and particle-forming pollutants come from a wide variety of sources, including cars, buses, power plants, and industries; natural sources such as wildfires and dust storms contribute to particle pollution, and trees and other vegetation emit organic compounds which contribute to particle and ozone pollution; and WHEREAS, Exposure to high levels of ozone and particle pollution is linked with a number of significant health problems; children, people with lung disease, older adults, and people with heart disease tend to be more vulnerable; when pollution reaches high enough levels, the air can be unhealthy for everyone, especially those who are active outdoors; and WHEREAS, People should use the Air Quality Index and daily air quality forecasts to help determine when pollutant levels are high and what steps should be taken to protect themselves; and WHEREAS, Americans can help reduce pollution by following these steps: carpool or use public transportation; delay using lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered lawn equipment until later in the day; avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials; and keep their car in good operating condition and get regular tune ups; and WHEREAS, National Air Quality Awareness Week aims to promote events which increase quality awareness and inspire people to take steps, no matter how large or small, to reduce their contribution to air pollution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30-May 4, 2018 as Air Quality Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.