Indoor Environmental Quality Maintained Throughout Summer’s Wildfires

ESRT Measures Protect Its NYC Tenants

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.”

Through these and other industry-leading practices, ESRT was the first commercial real estate portfolio in the Americas to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating across its entire commercial portfolio in 2020 and achieved the distinction each year since. ESRT continues to transparently share its ESG targets, practices, and progress in its annual Sustainability Report.

More information about sustainability, energy, and IEQ at ESRT can be found online.

About Empire State Realty Trust

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a REIT that owns and manages office, retail and multifamily assets in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. ESRT owns the iconic Empire State Building – the “World’s Most Famous Building” – and the newly reimagined Empire State Building Observatory that was named #1 attraction in the US for the second year in a row, in Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best. The company is a leader in healthy buildings, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality. As of June 30, 2023, ESRT's portfolio is comprised of approximately 8.6 million rentable square feet of office space, 718,000 rentable square feet of retail space and 721 residential units across three multifamily properties. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.

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Source: Empire State Realty Trust

Category: Sustainability

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