Photograph of Madison Train Station by Theo_C82 Flickr

Monitoring Air Quality is extremely important for the health and quality of life in an area. The NJDEP Air Quality Permitting Program utilizes risk assessment to determine potential health risks from any facilities wishing to release pollutants into the air. Air Quality Permits are legal documents which allow the holder to emit up to a set limit of pollutants into the air. There, such permits become a tool in monitoring pollutant emissions and regulating different facilities.

The map below shows facilities in the Madison Borough which have received an Air Quality Permit, meaning they are allowed to release pollutants into the air. These permits are given out in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:27. The data is found in the NJDEP Air Quality Permitted Facilities Sites in New Jersey ArcGIS layer, which is publicly available.

There are 26 facilities in the Madison Borough registered for air permits. Out of those, four are coded as schools. All remaining 22 facilities are classified as minor sources. Most facilities are concentrated in the urbanized, downtown area of the town. 

Mapping facilities with Air Quality permits makes it easier to promote awareness of possible health risks in different areas of the Madison Borough. Residents should be aware of the air pollution levels in their area, as it allows for conscientization regarding health risks and prevention of negative effects due to air pollution levels. Additionally, mapping the permitted facilities over a layer specifying land-use allows for citizens of Madison to visualize the environmental risks posed by such facilies.

About the Data

The dataset used on the map above contains information on Air Quality Permits in the state of New Jersey. The data is compiled by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.  The data on Land Use is obtained from the Land Use/Land Cover of New Jersey 2015 dataset, compiled by the NJDEP Bureau of GIS.