Indoor Environmental Quality Maintained Throughout Summer’s Wildfires

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) today shared data which demonstrates the importance of its industry-leading indoor environmental quality (IEQ) measures. This summer’s Canadian wildfires caused a record-breaking peak of 117 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter (PM2.5) in New York City’s air. Tests showed that ESRT’s proactive IEQ measures maintained the portfolio’s indoor air quality at an average of two (2) micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5 – 33 fewer micrograms per cubic meter than the minimum requirement set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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The Empire State Building shrouded in smog from Canada's wildfires. (Photo: Business Wire)

ESRT’s IEQ measures – implemented across its 9.4 million square foot commercial portfolio and continually improved since 2012 – delivered on their mission with quality interior air for productive workspaces. The company’s practices are aligned with rigorous third-party standards which include LEEDv4.1 IEQ, the International WELL Building Institute’s v2 IEQ, and WELL Health-Safety.

“We originally created our indoor environmental quality program in response to SARS. We revamped our construction materials, cleaning and pest control products, and installed better filters and active bipolar ionization. Our goal has always been to prioritize tenant health and productivity throughout the ESRT portfolio,” said Tony Malkin, chairman, president, and CEO of ESRT. “Our continued leadership and technological innovations focused on human health equity in our modernized buildings with amenities, energy efficiency, and great location, not only offer health-conscious environments to our tenants but also add tangible value for our investors.”

The successfully tested IEQ measures in portions of ESRT’s portfolio include MERV 13 filters, which remove 85% of harmful air particles; bipolar ionization air purification, that was independently proven to neutralize smoke particles and eliminate 99.9% of coronaviruses; CO2 and IEQ sensors; and ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation, that circulates fresh filtered air every hour.

Specific effects on indoor air quality with bipolar ionization – implemented across approximately three million square feet of the commercial portfolio – included:

• Neutralized remaining particles from wildfire smoke that passed through MERV 13 filters
• ~86% reduction in 0.3-micron particles in 15 minutes
• ~91% reduction in 2-micron particles in 15 minutes

“We proactively developed this series of IEQ measures and observed them in action during this period of low air quality in New York City,” said Dana Robbins Schneider, SVP, director of energy, sustainability, and ESG. “Our integrated practices – in which we balance IEQ and energy reduction – serve as evidence that with the continued innovation for which ESRT is known, our portfolio is future-proofed against climate risk.”