By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
FINANCIAL DISTRICT — There's something missing from Lower Manhattan.
Despite the constant stream of construction vehicles working on building projects in close proximity, the stench of diesel fuel is nowhere to be smelled.
Downtown residents and workers can thank a new green initiative, which requires all construction vehicles in the area to install Diesel Particulate Filters.
The filters are part of the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center's program to improve air quality at Ground Zero, which DNAinfo got an exclusive look at.
Tom Kunkel,Environmental Compliance Director for LMCCC monitors air levels for Lower Manhattan. (Photo/ Josh Williams)Tom Kunkel, the environmental compliance director for the LMCC, said he recently recorded a 13.1 air pollution score during one particular sampling at 1 World Financial Center. According to the EPA, an air quality rating less than 50 is considered "good."
He credits the new filters that are being installed on new construction vehicles.
“Pieces of newer equipment can range from $50,000 to six figures," Kunkel said. "But the benefit to the community and the work force is immeasurable."
Kunkel's makes sure trucks that come into Ground Zero are in environmental compliance and takes air quality readings at various locations throughout the site.
In addition to the filters, the Ground Zero work site has been encased with dust catchers and trucks are required to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel as well as limit their idling time to less than three minutes.
“I have seen a dramatic change with in the last five years with the cleaner construction the quality of equipment and the use of ultra low sulfur fuel, and noise control," Kunkel said.
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