“Up in Smoke No More: Assessing the Impact of Clean Heat Policies in Northern Manhattan Residential Buildings”

This presentation will focus on an ongoing study that capitalizes on a unique and time-sensitive policy intervention that seeks to reduce airborne black carbon (BC)  by phasing out the use of a heavy burning heating oil in NYC. Aimed at investigating the impacts of timely and progressive Clean Heat regulations, this project examines the variance in residential exposure to BC before and after implementation and analyzes the policy process. We measure residential indoor/outdoor air quality prior to heating fuel conversion in the 2013-2014 heating season and one-year post-conversion in the 2014-2015 heating season (Aim 1). We also use the NYC Clean Heat policy intervention as a case study and identify the contextual and process-level factors involved in the effective passage and implementation of these laws (Aim 2). Baseline data and results from in-depth interviews with key stakeholders will be presented. Together the mixed method approaches in Aims 1 and 2 will yield contextualized results to demonstrate changes in domestic and neighborhood levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) associated with BC generated in buildings that burn residual oil (i.e., No. 6), but by legal mandate are obligated to convert to cleaner burning fuel sources before the 2014/2015 heating season. The study is set in a neighborhood context beset by asthma and other adverse health effects linked to BC exposure to address issues related to health disparities.Thus this study design will substantially improve the evidence base for the efficacy of environmental and public health policies and advance our scientific knowledge about residential exposure changes to BC in the aftermath of this policy intervention and the impact on vulnerable populations.