Environmental Safety

Air Emission Management at NJCU

What are Air Emissions?

Air emissions can be direct (e.g., out of a pipe or stack) or indirect (also known as fugitive) through the HVAC system or open windows. Emissions can be in many forms, including nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides, particulate matter (all resulting from combustion) or volatile organic compounds, ozone depleting substances, and CO2. Examples of process related equipment that could result in air emissions are abatement devices (e.g., Catalytic Oxidizers), boilers, emergency generators, and storage tanks.

Why Is Air Emission Management Important?

Air emissions can have an impact on a local and global level as evidenced by some of the resulting consequences: smog, climate change, and holes in the ozone layer. There are multiple regulatory requirements for maintaining an accurate profile of our air emissions and reporting emissions regularly to multiple agencies, including the national, state and local regulatory agencies, and New Jersey City University. Most emissions information is available to the public. Not complying with the regulations can result in a Notice of Violation, which can damage the university reputation with local officials, the community and with stakeholders.

What Should I Do?

• Learn what air emission sources are present in your area and how they should function to minimize releases.
• Seek current best technology for emission abatement.
• Learn the criteria set forth by the air permits in your area.
• Consult with EHS professionals to understand how your operations impact air emissions.

What is NJCU doing?

NJCU-EHS reports fuel combustion sources to NJDEP annually using the RADIUS Air Emissions Software. Contact the EHS (ext. 2151) or Facilities Department (ext. 3191) for more information.

Energy Conservation at NJCU

What Is Energy Conservation?

It is the responsibility of each business unit to establish mechanisms for creating, maintaining, and tracking an energy efficient facility and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Energy conservation efforts are managed through the use of Energy Star Best Practices, and success is measured by tracking annual CO2 emissions.

Why Is Energy Conservation Important?

There have been many studies conducted that link increasing CO2 emissions to climate change, and energy production and use is a leading cause of CO2. In addition, energy costs have been increasing significantly. A fully implemented energy conservation process can lead to reduced CO2 emissions to help meet University Facilities’ goals and achieve financial savings.

What Should I Do?

• Learn what equipment consumes electricity in your area.
• Conserve energy use wherever possible.
• When purchasing decisions are made, ask for the most energy efficient models possible.
• Reinforce conservation by talking with your employees.

What is NJCU doing to conserve energy?

Learn more about what NJCU is doing to conserve energy

More About NJCU's Environmental Management Systems

Waste Management at NJCU - including Hazardous and Universal Waste

What Is Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous waste is any material that is: toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or acutely hazardous; a listed material, or mixture of materials; deemed hazardous due to institutional and industry experience, impact studies and/or testing. In other words, hazardous waste is a material solid or liquid which if spilled on the ground or in water will affect the current and or future life (plant, animal or microbial) in a non-sustainable manner.

Why Is Hazardous Waste Management Important?

The State of New Jersey has very strict regulations when it comes to Hazardous Waste Management. These apply to all hazardous waste from the moment it is generated until it is disposed, reclaimed, or recycled. Waste is still the university’s responsibility even if it has left the site for disposal. Beyond financial consequence, not complying with Hazardous Waste Regulations could result in polluting the communities where we live and work.

What Should I Do?

• Ensure that your waste streams are in compliance.
• Understand Hazardous Waste Regulations that apply to your work area.
• Learn to manage your Satellite Accumulation Area (a location near the point of generation where hazardous waste is accumulated before disposal).

What is NJCU doing to manage different types of Waste?

EHS has identified the waste streams below and works in partnership with various departments to ensure compliance.  For a waste pick-up enter a School Dude work order under “Waste”.

New Jersey City University Mold Policy

Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold. There are no mandated actions specific to molds and indoor air quality required by any state or federal agencies. The U.S. EPA states “Standards” or Threshold Limit Values for airborne concentrations or mold, or mold spores, have not been set.

Although there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants, there are microbiological benchmarks or assessment guidelines. Therefore, in the event that we discover mold on campus, NJCU’s policy is to follow EPA’s recommended protocol for Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and other guidelines from professional and government organizations. While not required by EPA, as a quality control measure, air testing may be done (before and after remediation) to confirm that once the remediation is complete the concentration of spores inside the area is lower than outdoor/background levels.

Indoor Air Regulations and Mold

“Standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.”

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

EPA’s Recommended Guidelines

If you have a concern related to mold, please enter a request in School Dude under “Air Quality”.

Sustainability Efforts and Initiatives News Release

About Water Management and Conservation at NJCU

What Is Water Management?

Water management means that there are processes in place to: a) conserve water consumption b) provide personnel with safe drinking water, and c) manage wastewater. These processes ensure the health and safety of our human resources, and prevent pollution.

What Should I Do?

• Review waste disposal systems and seek opportunities for disposing in a more environmentally friendly way.
• Notify EHS or Maintenance of any malfunctioning water sources, or anyone tampering with water devices or sources.
• Create habits that would eliminate any cross connection to drinking water sources.
• Evaluate what goes down the drain in your facility, and if not eco-friendly, find alternative methods of disposal.

What is NJCU doing about water conservation and wastewater management?

NJCU is continuously working towards reducing its ecological footprint and is committed to environmental sustainability. Through the institution’s initiatives and efforts, many accomplishments and successes have taken place to make the campus greener. Some accomplishments include:

• Reducing water usage on campus by 10.4% from 2011 to 2019, even as the square footage of the campus footprint increased by 12.6% during that same timeframe. Installing low flow/motion-activated fixtures and rain sensors are part of the ongoing water conservation initiatives.
• Installing 16 water refill/hydration stations throughout the campus, including all residence halls, Gilligan Student Union Building, and the John J. Moore Athletic Center.
• A Sustainability Dashboard has been created to keep the University and external communities engaged and informed about water conservation and wastewater management efforts.