Port of New York & New Jersey¶
The Cost of Breathing at America's Busiest East Coast Port¶
~2,600 t criteria pollutants emitted at berth annually
3.2M below-median-income residents in surrounding communities
$150M+ estimated annual public health cost of port emissions
ZERO mandatory at-berth emissions controls
Sources: ICCT Port Emissions Screening (2024); ICCT Electrifying Ports Study (2023); EPA BenMAP methodology; U.S. Census ACS; CDC PLACES (2024); EPA TRI; EPA EJScreen
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Port Overview¶
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port complex on the U.S. East Coast and the third-busiest in the nation. The port spans facilities across Newark, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and other locations across two states. It handles over 7,500 vessel calls annually, including container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, and roll-on/roll-off auto carriers.
While docked, these vessels run auxiliary diesel engines that emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2) directly into adjacent residential neighborhoods. Unlike California — the only U.S. jurisdiction with mandatory at-berth emissions controls — the NY/NJ port complex has no equivalent requirement.
Who Is Affected¶
The communities surrounding the port are disproportionately low-income and communities of color. ICCT screening identifies the NY/NJ port group as the highest-priority U.S. port complex for health impact intervention based on the intersection of emissions volume and environmental justice indicators.
| Community | Population | Key Health Burden |
|---|---|---|
| Newark, NJ | 311,000 | Asthma hospitalization rates among highest in NJ; cumulative industrial exposure |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 137,000 | Adjacent to port marine terminals and NJ Turnpike interchange |
| Bayonne, NJ | 71,000 | Surrounded by port facilities on three sides |
| Brooklyn, NY | 2,500,000+ | ICCT estimates $60M+/year in port-attributable health damages |
| Staten Island, NY | 495,000 | Proximity to container terminals and petroleum facilities |
Community Health Profile¶
CDC PLACES data for Essex County, NJ (200+ census tracts) and Kings County, NY (Brooklyn, 760+ census tracts) provides tract-level health estimates for the two primary communities impacted by port operations. Newark and port-adjacent Brooklyn neighborhoods show health indicators that exceed their respective county and state averages:
| Health Measure | Newark (Essex Co.) | Brooklyn (Kings Co.) | NJ Statewide | NY Statewide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current asthma among adults | 12.8% | 10.5% | 9.5% | 10.2% |
| COPD among adults | 7.5% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 5.8% |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.2% | 6.0% | 5.5% | 5.8% |
| Depression among adults | 21.0% | 18.5% | 17.5% | 18.0% |
| Obesity among adults | 36.5% | 30.8% | 29.5% | 28.5% |
| Fair or poor self-rated health | 22.5% | 18.2% | 14.8% | 16.5% |
| High blood pressure | 38.0% | 32.5% | 30.2% | 31.0% |
Newark — immediately adjacent to the port's busiest marine terminals — shows the most elevated health indicators, with asthma rates (12.8%) and high blood pressure (38.0%) well above state averages. The ICCT's modeling estimated $60M+/year in port-attributable health damages in Brooklyn alone, consistent with the health burden reflected in PLACES data.3
Data Source
CDC PLACES provides modeled estimates for 40 health measures at census tract level. The NY/NJ port impact zone spans multiple counties across two states — Essex County (NJ), Hudson County (NJ), Kings County (Brooklyn, NY), and Richmond County (Staten Island, NY). This cross-jurisdictional scope makes tract-level data essential for capturing the full health impact footprint.
Environmental Justice
A majority of the population living within 5 km of port container terminals are lower-income populations. Those below the poverty line are concentrated disproportionately on the New Jersey side of the port — closest to the highest-emission berths.1
The EPA Toxics Release Inventory identifies over 80 TRI-reporting facilities in Essex County (NJ) and over 40 in Kings County (NY), reflecting the dense industrial history of the port region. Newark's Ironbound neighborhood — adjacent to port container terminals — faces cumulative exposure from port operations, petroleum storage, waste processing, and highway traffic on the NJ Turnpike corridor.4
Cross-State Environmental Burden¶
The Port of NY/NJ's impact zone spans four counties across two states — creating a uniquely complex regulatory and environmental justice landscape. Newark's Ironbound neighborhood, immediately adjacent to port container terminals, faces cumulative exposure from port operations, petroleum storage facilities, waste processing, and the NJ Turnpike corridor.
| County | State | TRI Facilities | Key Environmental Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex (Newark) | NJ | 80+ | Ironbound industrial corridor; port-adjacent; highest asthma rates |
| Kings (Brooklyn) | NY | 40+ | $60M+/year port-attributable health damages (ICCT); 2.5M+ residents |
| Hudson (Bayonne) | NJ | 30+ | Port facilities on three sides; petroleum terminal operations |
| Richmond (Staten Island) | NY | 20+ | Container terminals; petroleum facilities |
The ICCT's 2023 electrification study found that full electrification at the Port of NY/NJ would reduce the total area affected by port emissions from 292 km2 to approximately 55 km2 — an 81% reduction in the geographic footprint of port pollution. This cross-jurisdictional scope — requiring coordination between NJ DEP and NY DEC — makes the NY/NJ port complex the most regulatory-complex case for at-berth controls outside California.5
Health Impact Analysis¶
Using the ICCT's Port Emissions Inventory Tool (goPEIT) and the EPA's Intervention Model for Air Pollution (InMAP), we model the health outcomes attributable to at-berth vessel emissions and the benefits of their reduction.
The scenario below models outcomes using the performance of currently deployed, CARB-certified barge-mounted capture systems (99% PM2.5, 95% NOx removal — independently verified by Yorke Engineering LLC).
| Health Outcome | Current Annual Burden | With At-Berth Capture |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 emissions at port (tonnes/yr) | ~780 t | 69–99% reduction |
| NOx emissions at port (tonnes/yr) | ~1,400 t | Up to 95% reduction |
| Premature deaths from port PM2.5 | Estimated 50–130/year | 35–125 lives saved/year |
| Cardiovascular & respiratory hospitalizations | Estimated 200–500/year | 140–480 avoided/year |
| Childhood asthma ED visits | Estimated 300–700/year | 210–670 avoided/year |
| Monetized public health benefit (EPA VSL) | $150M+/year | $105M–$148M saved/year |
Methodology Note
Premature death estimates use EPA's concentration-response function for PM2.5 (Krewski et al. 2009, ACS CPS-II) and EPA Value of Statistical Life ($11.8M, 2024-adjusted). Hospitalization and ED visit rates scaled from NYC Health Department air quality surveillance data and ICCT InMAP modeling. Ranges reflect uncertainty in dispersion modeling and exposure assumptions. All estimates are conservative — they exclude SOx and secondary PM2.5 formation, which would increase totals.
Wind Patterns & Community Exposure¶
NOAA climatological data from Newark Liberty International Airport shows prevailing winds from the northwest and west (approximately 37% of days), with an average wind speed of 9.3 mph — the highest of any port in this assessment. These winds push emissions from Port Newark and Elizabeth marine terminals eastward and southeastward toward the Ironbound neighborhood and downtown Newark. Under southwest flow, emissions move toward Kearny and North Arlington. Newark's high average wind speed means efficient pollutant transport across a densely populated metropolitan area.
The Brooklyn Impact¶
ICCT modeling of the full electrification scenario at the Port of NY/NJ found that Brooklyn would receive the largest monetized health benefit of any borough or county — over $60 million per year in avoided health damages. Although the reduced annual PM2.5 concentration in Brooklyn would be below 0.2 μg/m³, the sheer population density (2.5 million+ residents) means even small per-person exposure reductions translate into large aggregate health gains.2
The Regulatory Gap¶
California's CARB At-Berth Regulation has been in effect since 2014 and was strengthened in 2020. In October 2023, the EPA authorized California's regulation under the Clean Air Act, which legally enables other states to adopt the identical standard. No state has done so.
This means the technology to prevent the health impacts documented above is commercially proven, regulatory-approved, and deployable today. The only missing piece is the regulatory mandate or financial incentive to deploy it at the Port of NY/NJ.
Pathways to Action
Several pathways exist for reducing at-berth emissions at the Port of NY/NJ:
- State adoption of CARB-equivalent regulation: New York and New Jersey could adopt California's at-berth standard under the EPA authorization
- Port Authority voluntary commitment: PANYNJ could require at-berth controls as a condition of terminal leases
- Carbon credit incentives: Voluntary carbon market frameworks currently under development could provide revenue to fund capture deployment without regulatory mandates
- Federal EPA Clean Ports funding: The $3 billion Clean Ports Program (IRA Section 60102) included NY/NJ-area awards — disbursement status under current administration requires FOIA verification
What Comes Next¶
This assessment is a proof-of-concept demonstration using publicly available data. A full site-specific assessment for the Port of NY/NJ — with higher-resolution dispersion modeling, localized health data, and census-tract-level environmental justice analysis — is available through our research services.
Port Health Watch is also developing:
- Air Quality Health Units (AQHUs): The first tradable health benefit asset class for port pollution reduction, under development for submission to Verra's SD VISta program. Learn more →
- Carbon credit methodology: A Verra VCS methodology for at-berth maritime carbon capture, targeting July 2026 submission. Learn more →
- NY/NJ Interactive Dashboard →: Cross-county health data, wind patterns, population density impact analysis, emissions profile, and industrial burden visualization.
The Opportunity
At-berth emissions capture at the Port of NY/NJ could save 35–125 lives per year, prevent hundreds of hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and deliver over $100 million annually in monetizable health benefits — using technology that is commercially deployed and independently verified today.
Interactive Dashboard¶
Interactive visualizations from the NY/NJ public data harvest — CDC PLACES multi-county health indicators, NOAA wind patterns, population density impact analysis, cross-state emissions profile, and industrial facility burden.
Wind Rose — NOAA¶
Prevailing wind directions from Newark Liberty International Airport (Station USW00014734). Northwesterly and westerly winds (37% of days) carry port emissions from Newark/Elizabeth marine terminals toward the Ironbound neighborhood and downtown Newark. Average daily wind speed: 9.3 mph — the highest of any port in this assessment.
| Direction | Frequency | Downwind Communities |
|---|---|---|
| NW | 20% | Ironbound, downtown Newark |
| W | 17% | East Newark, Kearny |
| SW | 16% | North Arlington, Lyndhurst |
| N | 15% | Elizabeth, Linden |
| S | 10% | Jersey City, Bayonne |
| SE | 8% | Staten Island waterfront |
| E | 7% | Brooklyn waterfront |
| NE | 7% | West Newark, Orange |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate Data Online. Station USW00014734 (Newark Liberty International Airport).
Community Health Profile — CDC PLACES Multi-County Comparison¶
Census-tract-level health estimates comparing Newark (Essex County, NJ), Brooklyn (Kings County, NY), and NJ statewide averages. Newark shows the most elevated health indicators across all measures, consistent with cumulative industrial exposure from port operations, petroleum storage, waste processing, and highway traffic.
| Health Measure | Newark (Essex Co.) | Brooklyn (Kings Co.) | NJ Statewide | Newark vs. NJ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current asthma | 12.8% | 10.5% | 9.5% | +3.3 |
| COPD | 7.5% | 5.8% | 5.5% | +2.0 |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.2% | 6.0% | 5.5% | +1.7 |
| Depression | 21.0% | 18.5% | 17.5% | +3.5 |
| Obesity | 36.5% | 30.8% | 29.5% | +7.0 |
| Fair/poor health | 22.5% | 18.2% | 14.8% | +7.7 |
| High blood pressure | 38.0% | 32.5% | 30.2% | +7.8 |
Interpretation
Newark's health indicators consistently exceed both Brooklyn and NJ statewide averages. The asthma rate (12.8%) is 35% higher than the NJ statewide average (9.5%). High blood pressure (38.0%) exceeds the state average by nearly 8 percentage points. These disparities reflect cumulative environmental burden — port operations are one contributor alongside petroleum storage, waste processing, and highway corridor exposure.
Source: CDC PLACES (2024 release), Socrata API. Essex County NJ FIPS 34013 (200+ tracts), Kings County NY FIPS 36047 (760+ tracts), NJ statewide averages.
Population Density Impact — The Brooklyn Multiplier¶
ICCT modeling shows Brooklyn would receive $60M+/year in avoided health damages under full port electrification — despite a PM2.5 reduction of less than 0.2 ug/m3. This demonstrates the population density multiplier: even small per-person exposure reductions translate into massive aggregate health gains when 2.5 million+ residents are affected.
| Metric | Brooklyn (Kings Co.) |
|---|---|
| Population | 2,500,000+ |
| PM2.5 reduction (full electrification) | < 0.2 ug/m3 |
| Avoided health damages | $60M+/year |
| Per-capita benefit | ~$24/person/year |
The Density Multiplier
Brooklyn's $60M+ in avoided health damages demonstrates why population density is the critical variable in port health impact analysis. A PM2.5 reduction too small to measure on most monitors still generates tens of millions in monetizable health benefits when multiplied across 2.5 million residents.
Source: ICCT, "Electrifying ports to reduce diesel pollution from ships and trucks and benefit public health" (February 2023).
Cross-State Emissions Footprint¶
Approximately 2,600 tonnes of criteria pollutants are emitted at berth annually at the Port of NY/NJ — making it the highest-emitting East Coast port complex. The emissions footprint spans 292 km2 across two states.
| Pollutant | At-Berth Emissions | Health Significance |
|---|---|---|
| NOx | ~1,400 t/yr (54%) | Ozone precursor; respiratory inflammation |
| PM2.5 | ~780 t/yr (30%) | Premature mortality; cardiovascular disease |
| SOx & Other | ~420 t/yr (16%) | Secondary PM2.5 formation; respiratory irritation |
| Total | ~2,600 t/yr | $150M+ annual health cost |
Emissions Footprint Reduction
ICCT's 2023 electrification study found that full electrification would reduce the total area affected by port emissions from 292 km2 to approximately 55 km2 — an 81% reduction in the geographic footprint of port pollution.
Source: ICCT Port Emissions Screening (September 2024); ICCT Electrifying Ports Study (February 2023); EPA emission factors.
TRI Facility Burden — Industrial Context¶
The EPA Toxics Release Inventory reveals the dense industrial history of the NY/NJ port region. Essex County (Newark) has 80+ TRI-reporting facilities — reflecting the cumulative industrial burden on communities like the Ironbound neighborhood.
| County | State | TRI Facilities | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex (Newark) | NJ | 80+ | Ironbound industrial corridor; port-adjacent; highest asthma rates |
| Kings (Brooklyn) | NY | 40+ | $60M+/year port-attributable health damages; 2.5M+ residents |
| Hudson (Bayonne) | NJ | 30+ (est.) | Port facilities on three sides; petroleum terminal operations |
| Richmond (Staten Island) | NY | 20+ (est.) | Container terminals; petroleum facilities |
Source: EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Envirofacts REST API. Essex County NJ FIPS 34013, Kings County NY FIPS 36047.
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ICCT, "Emissions analysis of the Port Drayage Truck Replacement Program and local air quality: The case of the Port of New York and New Jersey" (2022); U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates. ↩
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ICCT, "Electrifying ports to reduce diesel pollution from ships and trucks and benefit public health: Case studies of the Port of Seattle and the Port of New York and New Jersey" (February 2023). ↩
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CDC PLACES, census tract–level health estimates, Essex County NJ and Kings County NY (2024 release); ICCT, "Electrifying ports" (2023) — Brooklyn health damage estimates. ↩
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EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Envirofacts database, Essex County NJ and Kings County NY facilities; Ironbound Community Corporation environmental justice data. ↩
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ICCT, "Electrifying ports to reduce diesel pollution from ships and trucks and benefit public health: Case studies of the Port of Seattle and the Port of New York and New Jersey" (February 2023) — emissions footprint and electrification scenario analysis. ↩