Residents finally had a chance to breathe easier this weekend after the Greenpoint Asphalt Recycling Center shut down its operations, which were notorious for releasing foul-smelling fumes.
The closure occurred after the facility failed to meet a state-mandated deadline to raise its smokestack. While this might be a temporary measure, locals in northern Brooklyn and parts of Queens can momentarily enjoy fresher air.
“You can really tell the difference in the air,” remarked Tom Mituzas, a member of the Blissville Civic Organization and a longtime resident of the area. “We didn’t have issues like bloodshot eyes or that annoying cough in the back of our throats today.”
Green Asphalt was required to increase the height of its chimney to 90 feet under an agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection. The company announced its service suspension last week, claiming it was part of their commitment to being a better neighbor.
“This deadline was set to reduce unpleasant odors in the community. Due to circumstances we couldn’t control, we don’t think we can meet that deadline, and it’s wise to temporarily close until we complete this work,” a company spokesperson stated.
Following the shutdown, local air pollution levels showed a dramatic improvement, plummeting from an alarming air quality index of 120 early Thursday morning to a more acceptable score of 13 by midday. Monitors used by the Blissville Civic Association showed the stark contrast.
Although the air quality has generally remained at good levels since the closure, there have been some spikes back to acceptable standards. However, the reasons behind Green Asphalt’s inability to meet the chimney height requirement remain unclear, despite having reached an agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation six months ago.
A compliance schedule from June outlined that raising the height of the smokestack was intended to disperse harmful odors and reduce the infamous “Greenpoint odor” experienced by nearby residents.
On top of the potential fines, Green Asphalt could face a penalty of $99,500 if it further delays compliance. They also owe $125,000 for failing to provide air quality monitoring data in the previous years.
In order to raise the smokestack, Green Asphalt needed permission from the city’s Department of Buildings, but city officials indicated that no such application had been received.
For now, residents are celebrating this small victory of cleaner air, yet they remain skeptical about whether the company will reopen and follow through on their promises regarding the chimney.
“I want to trust what they’re saying, but it feels a bit like a fairy tale gone wrong,” Mituzas added.
Kim Do-shin, a 63-year-old Blissville resident, has appreciated the less damp air since the closure, but she expressed doubts about its longevity. “It feels like they’re not being straightforward with us. There’s this growing distrust, not just towards them but affecting the entire community,” she shared.
Having lived in the area for 25 years, she noted that her asthma has worsened since Green Asphalt opened a decade ago. Despite using an air purifier to improve oxygen levels, she still feels the impact of pollution. “It seeps in through the windows. I know I’m a special case, but nobody should be confined to their home like this. Many people in this neighborhood feel the same way, avoiding the outdoors because of the smells and visible pollution,” Do-shin remarked.
Green Asphalt will remain closed until the state has ensured the smokestack is raised and emissions testing is completed to better monitor pollutants affecting the community.
While the company has not provided a specific reopening timeline, City Councilman Lincoln Ressler mentioned it might take at least a month.
