New York City’s congestion pricing program has not led to increased air pollution across the city, including in neighborhoods where concerns had been raised that drivers avoiding Manhattan tolls could create additional traffic, according to a new city study.

The New York City Health Department released what it described as its first comprehensive evaluation of the Congestion Relief Zone tolling program’s effect on neighborhood air quality, finding that pollution levels either remained stable or improved slightly during the program’s first year.

Researchers examined air quality both inside Manhattan’s congestion pricing zone and in environmental justice communities near major highway corridors where officials had been concerned about potential increases in traffic.

Those areas included neighborhoods along the Major Deegan Expressway, Cross Bronx Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Staten Island Expressway, FDR Drive and Trans-Manhattan Expressway.

According to the study, none of those communities experienced an increase in air pollution attributable to congestion pricing.

The analysis focused on four traffic-related pollutants — fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide and black carbon. Researchers used air-quality data beginning a full year before congestion pricing took effect and continuing through its first year of operation.

The study also accounted for other factors that can affect pollution readings, including weather, seasonal changes and regional wildfire smoke.

The findings come amid a longer-term improvement in New York City air quality. The city’s Community Air Survey has tracked neighborhood-level pollution for nearly two decades and has recorded significant improvements across all neighborhoods during that period.

Officials have nevertheless said traffic-related pollution remains a concern because of its connection to asthma, heart disease, stroke and other health problems.

Congestion pricing revenue is also being directed toward environmental and public-health programs. More than **$120 million** is being invested in related initiatives, including cleaner-truck programs and measures targeting communities that have historically faced higher pollution levels.

The study comes as congestion pricing remains one of New York’s most closely watched transportation policies. While the report did not find major changes in overall air pollution attributable to the program, its findings indicate that fears of increased pollution in communities outside the tolling zone have not materialized during the program’s first year.

City officials said air-quality monitoring will continue as they track the program’s longer-term effects.