Chemical & Pollution Control
Chemical and pollution control is at the core of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) mission, to protect New York's natural resources and our environment. Through the promotion of environmentally sound use of products, including chemicals and pesticides; environmental cleanup and monitoring programs; and effective laws and regulations, DEC enhances the health, safety and welfare of the people of New York.
Air pollution
Pollutants emitted from tall stacks can
travel miles and cause harm to human
health and our environment.
There are many different sources that contribute to air pollution, which negatively affect public health and the environment. DEC carries out both the state and federal air pollution control and monitoring programs, which help control emissions of pollutants as well as measure and monitor ambient pollutant levels.
- Ambient Air Quality Monitoring - program to track air quality, measures air pollutants at more than 80 sites across the state, using continuous and/or manual instrumentation.
- Air Program Forms and Instructions - forms for: Facility Registration; Facility Permits; Emission Reduction Credits; Budget Trading Programs; and others available for download.
Water pollution
Stormwater is water from rain or
melting snow that doesn't soak into
the ground.
Water pollution happens when contaminants are released into water bodies without proper treatment. As a result, pollutants that enter our lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater can harm the public and the environment. DEC administers programs and conducts training and outreach, that help control water pollution from all sources to protect and enhance New York's natural resources.
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Stormwater - controlling pollution in stormwater; information for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s); training; and permits.
- Wastewater Facility Operators - links to contacts, training, certification, regulatory updates and more.
Waste Management
- Hazardous Waste Management - helps prevent generation of industrial hazardous wastes.
- Solid Waste Program - provides technical and regulatory assistance to the regulated community. permitting, facility inspection and assessment of facility compliance.
Brownfields (contaminated and abandoned properties)
Brownfield sites can pose environmental,
legal and financial burdens on a community
and its taxpayers.
- Environmental Restoration Program - spurs cleanup and redevelopment of underutilized contaminated properties through financial assistance to municipalities and liability releases.
- Brownfield Cleanup Program - enhances private-sector cleanups of brownfields, reducing development pressure on "greenfields".
- Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program - assistance for municipalities and community based organizations to complete area-wide approaches to brownfields redevelopment planning.
- Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Program (Superfund) - program for identifying, investigating and cleaning up sites where consequential amounts of hazardous waste may exist.
Pesticides Program
DEC regulates the use of pesticides and is responsible for compliance assistance and public outreach activities to ensure enforcement of State pesticide laws.
- Questions and Answers Regarding the Pesticides Program - topics include: pesticide product labels: commercial lawn applications; and many more.
- Pesticides Management Forms - a compilation of various forms used in the Pesticides Program, including the Certified Applicator/Technician Application for Photo ID Card form.
More about Chemical & Pollution Control:
- Air - Information on air pollution in New York State
- Acid Rain - The New York State's Atmospheric Deposition Monitoring Network measures acid deposition, its precursors and related factors to establish the effectiveness of current sulfur control policy and other strategies aimed at reducing the effects of acid rain.
- Water - List of Impaired Waters (303 D); Federal Clean Water Act Assessment and Listing Methodology; Stormwater; Wastewater Treatment; Wastewater Facility Operators; Discharge Monitoring Report Manual; Water Quality Monitoring/Assessment; Sewers; prescription disposal
- Environmental Cleanup & Brownfields - NY's brownfields programs spurs cleanup and redevelopment of idle or underutilized contaminated properties through financial assistance to municipalities, liability releases and indemnification
- Chemical and Petroleum Storage - Chemical and Petroleum Bulk Storage in New York. Information on the regulatory programs and requirements for bulk storage of petroleum and chemicals in New York State
- Waste Management - To protect New York State's environment and the health of its citizens through innovative, rational, and reasonable management of solid and hazardous materials that secures public confidence and provides for sustainable economic development that is responsive to environmental concerns.
- Recycling & Composting - Waste Reduction, reuse, recycling and composting program main page.
- Pesticides - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is the designated agency in New York State to regulate pesticides and is responsible for compliance assistance and public outreach activities to ensure enforcement of State pesticide laws.
- Radiation - Description of the radiation program
- Mercury - Because mercury is one of the most serious environmental contaminants, the Pollution Prevention Unit works to reduce uses and environmental releases of mercury
- Help for Businesses - DEC programs to help businesses prevent pollution in their daily operations
