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July 17, 2009
Enviromental Impact of BQE?
I am in the process of looking for a home in the Clinton Hill/ Fort Greene area. I've lived in the area for 8 years, but have been considering some listings within 1 block of the BQE. Most likely they are more affordable, given the proximity to the highway.
What I am concerned about, is the environmental impact of breathing in BQE exhaust/air all day in my home. Does anyone know where I could find records about the environmental impact there? I'm concerned with having small children there breathing the air, and rates of cancer and asthma among other things.
I have searched the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website but not found anything particular to this question. Also, are there any homeowners living close to the BQE who could share some advice or experience with me?
Thanks so much!
Comments
Haven't found anything specific to the BQE but Brooklyn in general is not considered that great in terms of air quality.
http://www.stateoftheair.org/2009/states/new-york/kings-36047.html
At least there are a lot of trees in Clinton Hill/ Fort Green so that should help lower pollution -even if all they do is lower the overall temperature of the air.
Posted by: Karka at July 17, 2009 11:01 AM
EPA won't be able to help you. A few places that you might look:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygenie (DOHMH) maintains comprehensive health surve information for the entire city, often sortabel by zip code. Here you'll be albe to get a very comprehensive health snap shot of your new neighborhood, including asthma rates. Check out Epiquery and other information on their website:
https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/epiquery/EpiQuery/
The other best way to get environmenatl information is to see if any Environmental Impact Studies (EIS') have been published. These documents are all project specific, so nothing would have been done if a large and environmentally sensitive project hasnt been completed in the area recently. Howver, as lots of work seems to alwasy be going on with the BQE I imagine the New York State Dept. of Transportation would have had to file an EIS at some point. Check out their website and call there to see if one was completed and where you can view it. They are often enourmous (1,000+ page) documents but always include detailed air quality anaylses. If the BQE isnt a State owned expressway that City DOT would have info, but I think the state owns the BQE
You might also want to reach out to the local Council Members office (Tish James I believe).
Good luck!!
Posted by: clintonhillbuyer at July 17, 2009 11:02 AM
BQE is a state highway. the State DOT is responsible for its maintenance and rebuilding. the section between Clinton Hill and Fort Greene was just rebuilt and there is an state EIS somewhere. The State is beginning to do an EIS for the next section between Brooklyn heights and cobble Hill(the cantilever)....do a search and you will find names and numbers they should be able to assist you in getting access to the other EIS's done for your area....
Posted by: smeyer418 at July 17, 2009 11:10 AM
I lived on a BQE block (Ryerson between Myrtle and Park) for almost nine years, and the amount and persistence of black dust in the house always annoyed and troubled me. The general age and poor condition of our house (a rental) certainly contributed to the problem of dust and such, but I'm sure the BQE also had something to do with it. It seemed that every day brought a new coating of dust, noticeably worse in warm months with open windows; troubling to think about breathing that soot. Personally, I would never buy on a block so close to the BQE.
Posted by: rabbit at July 17, 2009 11:43 AM
people have been living on it for many many years with no problems. dont be such a worry wart. you should just buy a house in maine if you want "fresh air"
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at July 17, 2009 11:43 AM
Here is the page for the section through Clinton Hill/ Fort Green
and the next section Sands to Atlantic
https://www.nysdot.gov/regional-offices/region11/projects/bqe-atlantic-sands
Posted by: Karka at July 17, 2009 11:52 AM
I was talking to Eddie from Eddie's Salvage and he said there's a dumping station for construction debris right by the BQE in Clinton Hill, and that people have been having health problems. (He does a lot of demolition work, which is how he gets the salvage for his salvage shop.)Unscientific? Yes. But I'd definitely look into it before buying a place.
Posted by: talknerdytome at July 17, 2009 12:04 PM
not for me, but the residents of DUMBO don't seem to mind.
Posted by: dittoburg at July 17, 2009 12:22 PM
It's far from you but you could look up the problems the guys from the firehouse had - the Happy Hookers are right off the BQE and next to a sanitation plant. No on really knows how many of the medical problems are related to their location but they have more than the average firehouse, and some of them problems are -well- strange. But there is a particularly toxic place. Still- you'll get dust, fumes and noise being that close.
Posted by: bxgrl at July 17, 2009 12:27 PM
Yes, people have been living near the BQE for years, and yes the instances of Asthma have skyrocketed in urban areas, especially around major highways. If you think that's a coincidence then maybe you also think the reduction of child fatalities in car crashes has nothing to do with stricter car seat laws and you should let your 4 month old ride in the front seat with no safety belt. A little common sense here, please.
I lived on Lombardy Street in Williamsburg, right next to the McDonalds and Staples near the K bridge for 5 years. During that time all my glasses and dishes would develop a sticky black dusty film if they weren't used in a month. I was diagnosed with mild Asthma and had to use an inhaler every day. I moved in 2002 and within a couple years my lung capacity returned to normal and I no longer use the inhaler. Not to mention that I no longer feel the necessity to wash my dishes before I use them.
Obviously, I would recommend living as far away as possible from the BQE or any other major highway. Is your quality of life worth the money you save?
Posted by: JimHill at July 17, 2009 12:28 PM
The Department of Environmental Conservation has a network of air monitoring locations throughout the state. This is the most recent summary report for New York City:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/29310.html
Basically, air in NYC is cleaner than it's been for nearly a century, primarily thanks to cleaner fuels and improved vehicle emission controls.
A century ago homes were heated by coal, and transportation such as ferries and elevated trains were all fueled by coal. Fifty years ago cars burned leaded fuel. Twenty years ago low-sulfur diesel fuel was unheard of.
I'd be more worried about the noise.
Posted by: Sparafucile at July 17, 2009 12:45 PM
As many others have said, the effects will be visible. I am in Dumbo and we have a layer of black dust on all the windows, screens, etc. I don't notice it in my health but I believe it must have some sort of negative impact. Getting an air purifier and changing filters regularly is really all you can do.
Posted by: AndYouWillKnowUsbyTheTrailofRenters at July 17, 2009 2:46 PM
I lived four blocks from the BQE in Carroll Gardens and you could hear the sound of traffic at all times, and if the windows were open there was always a film of fine black greasy dust. I wouldn't do it.
Posted by: hancockone at July 17, 2009 2:54 PM
I live a block from the BQE in Williamsburg. I second everyone who mentioned the layer of black soot on the windows. I use an air purifier and clean the filter weekly and don't notice that much more crap then when I lived in Manhattan.
With the windows open you can hear the traffic, but at night it is kind of calming (sounds a little bit like the ocean)
Posted by: dirty_hipster at July 17, 2009 3:24 PM
Doesn't seem to be much of a problem for all the multimillion dollar brownstones in Brooklyn Heights that sit right over the BQE.
Posted by: Left Hook at July 17, 2009 4:31 PM
This is why I don't understand DUMBO, but I assume everyone there just never opens their windows.
And I agree, those blocks by the BQE are tempting, because they are cheap... but then again, there is also cheap stuff off Fulton near Nostrand in Bed Stuy, and that seems like a far, far better location.
Posted by: Heather at July 17, 2009 6:05 PM
As I've posted before, I lived a half block down from the BQE in Carroll Gardens, and got the black soot on the windowsills every week. Greasy and impossible to wash off. Noise also too loud in summer with windows open.
It's got to be at least the equivalent of smoking a pack a day.
Particles in the air are associated with premature death by heart attack. I wouldn't go near the place again.
Posted by: mopar at July 17, 2009 11:09 PM
Or well maybe three cigs a day. Anyway, you get the picture.
Posted by: mopar at July 17, 2009 11:10 PM
An amendment to my post from July: although I didn't like living near the BQE personally, I know plenty of people who have absolutely no problem with it. So go for it! There are lots of folks happily and healthfully living on the many blocks near the BQE.
Posted by: rabbit at November 17, 2009 2:25 PM
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