April 2021 Spotlight
Happy Earth Day! We hope you've made the best of the last few days of summer! Below is Clean and Healthy New York's monthly newsletter to spotlight the latest science, policy developments, and media coverage that sheds light on the state of environmental health in New York, the US, and abroad.
New York celebrates Earth Day 2021
Hundreds of New Yorkers and 24 organizations joined together this Earth Day to celebrate its history and advocate for a broad slate of bold legislation for environmental justice, clean water, toxic-free products, environmental conservation and a circular economy. Advocates shared their vision for a healthier New York with over 60 state legislators and were joined by Senate Environmental Conservation Chairman Todd Kaminsky, Assembly Environmental Conservation Chairman Steve Englebright, and Acting Deputy Secretary for Energy and the Environment Carrie Gallagher. Read more
Welcoming Director of Programs Paul Webster to CHNY
Paul Webster joins the Clean and Healthy New York team after a long tenure as the Community Outreach Director for New York State United Teachers. Paul serves as a board member of the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority, the Public Policy Council of New York, and the funding arm of Citizen Action of New York. Read more
Cosmetics have been harming humans for centuries
Cosmetics - an umbrella term that includes everything from deodorants, moisturizers, perfumes, toothpaste and makeup - often contain extremely harmful toxic ingredients. While the European Union has banned around 1,300 chemicals from cosmetic products, the United States has restricted the use of only 11. A bill in the New York legislature (S. 3331 / A. 143) requires personal care product makers to reveal ingredients, identify which are chemicals of concern, and keep the most harmful chemicals out of their products. Read more
100 miles of lead pipes supply water to Buffalo. Could Biden's plan fix that?
Like many older communities in America, Buffalo relies on water lines made of lead, a toxic metal that can cause behavioral and learning problems in children as well as heart, kidney, and reproductive issues in adults. Environmental health advocates believe they may have a path forward in a new national political landscape, but New York cannot wait for the federal government to take steps to address the lead crisis. Read more
Senator Gillibrand unveils PFAS medical monitoring bill in Hoosick Falls
The small town of Hoosick Falls became a household name nationally when its water supply was found to be extremely contaminated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances - a group of persistent, man-made chemicals used across dozens of product sectors that cause thyroid disease, immunotoxicity, cancer and more. New York Senator Gillibrand's PFAS Accountability Act makes the chemical illegal to use and establishes a national medical monitoring program. Read more
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