Struggles over air quality have residents of a small Queens neighborhood, Blissville, grappling with the effects of unpleasant odors and potential health risks. The issue centers on Green Asphalt, an asphalt recycling company in the area. According to Gothamist, residents have addressed complaints about the smell and smoke from the plant for over a decade. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently required Green Asphalt to double the smokestack's height to 90 feet following “numerous community complaints."
Local community members have criticized the state's response as inadequate. Assemblymember Claire Valdez, who represents the Blissville area, emphasized the urgency. "We’re heading into the summer months. People are going to be running their air conditioning and having their windows open," Valdez stated in an interview obtained by Gothamist. "So we need a lot more information about what’s going on, so people can stay safe." These concerns are not limited to the smells but extend to what substances might be put into the local waterway, Newtown Creek, which neighbors the Green Asphalt facility.
The situation became increasingly tense as residents like Tom Mituzas, a member of the Blissville Civic Organization, reported that at first the stink was so intense it was "literally gag." Mituzas told The New York Post that the low height of Green Asphalt's smokestacks meant the smoke remained close to the ground, leading to a situation where one would choke upon stepping outside.
While the company maintains that its emissions are legal under its current permit and touts its recycling process as more carbon-efficient, residents are pushing for more than just a taller smokestack. A spokesperson for Green Asphalt revealed to the New York Post that the company has been actively working "to address any odor complaints" and is committed to maintaining positive relations with the community. Notwithstanding these efforts, the persistent odors and health concerns remain unresolved for those living in the shadow of the recycling plant.
