CLEAN AIR

Stony Brook University is committed to protecting the health of the community and the environment. To help protect the air quality of the Stony Brook University community and meet the requirements of our state facility permit, Environmental Health & Safety adheres to the strict air emissions guidlines and permitable discharges; works with Facilities to record fuel delivery and fuel-use data and report to NYSDEC monthly; compiles yearly data and file annual emission statements to NYSDEC and arrange for payment of annual fees; and works with facility operations to ensure they are aware of permit requirements, operate below their permit limit, and reduce the discharge of pollutants whenever possible.

• Responsibilities of our campus community members
  • Ensure that your equipment and associated pollution control equipment is operating correctly
  • Always keep containers of volatile materials lightly closed to limit evaporation and reduce fugitive emissions
  • Clean-up any gasoline or other volatile chemical spill before they evaporate and become air pollution
  • Report any chemical spills to EH&S at (631) 632-6410
  • Have your vehicle's air conditioning system checked at a certified shop. If the system needs to be repaired, ensure the system is recharged with HFC-134a, an alternate refrigerant.
  • Open air burning of refuse or other materials is not allowed in New York State unless a permit is obtained. Read all about the Clean Air Act. More information on stratospheric ozone can be found at the EPA website.
• Protecting the stratospheric ozone layer

  Chlorofluorcarbons (CFCs) have been used in many products, but when allowed to escape they can drift into the upper atmosphere where they can react and destroy the ozone. Stratospheric ozone blocks UV-B radiation from reaching the earth. More radiation reaching the earth could result in a rise in skin cancer and cataracts. Stony Brook University is working to phase-out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals and the Clean Air Act bans the release of refrigerants during service. Recycling of refrigerants helps to conserve CFCs. Environmental Health & Safety is helping to facilitate the discontinuation of ozone depleting chemicals by:

  • Helping to facilitate the discontinuation of ozone depleting chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane
  • Encouraging the change-over to non ozone-depleting solvents and alternate refrigerants such as HFC-134a
  • Requiring the reclamation and recycling of CFCs by EPA certified technicians using certified equipment
  • Property Control will not pick up refrigeration equipment for disposal until the refrigerant has been removed. To have the refrigerant removed call either the:
    • West Campus Physical Plant at (631) 632-6400
    • WCPP HVAC Manager at (631) 632-4485
    • East Campus Physical Plant HVAC shop at (631) 444-6974
    • ECPP HVAC Manager at (631) 444-1980