October 2021 Spotlight
We hope you’re enjoying the fall breeze and changing leaves! 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.
NYS AG targets negligent Syracuse landlords responsible for lead poisoning
This month, Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against a Syracuse landlord for repeated violations of lead paint laws, failing to address hazards that ultimately caused 18 cases of childhood lead poisoning across 17 properties. Because of its old housing stock, New York has the highest number of lead poisoning cases of any state in the country. This National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 24-30), housing and environmental health advocates are urging the legislature to pass legislation (S.3079/A.7488) to hold insurers accountable for lead poisoning. Read more
California bans PFAS in children’s products and food packaging
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two laws banning the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in children’s products and disposable food packaging. PFAS, which many call “forever chemicals” because they do not biodegrade or leave the environment easily, are a class of compounds known to cause cancer, birth defects, liver disease, and much more. Pending legislation in New York (S.6291/A.7063) looks to take another step further by restricting the chemical’s use in clothing, and some experts believe New York may match Maine’s recent decision to ban the carcinogen entirely. Read more
Johnson & Johnson makes a last ditch effort to wriggle away from responsibility
Last week, Johnson & Johnson announced that a subsidiary it had created to manage a lawsuit for its cancer-causing personal care products had filed for bankruptcy protection. Legal experts believe the company’s decision is an attempt to hide the money they owe to more than 30,000 victims across the country. Legislation introduced by Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Gottfried (S.3331/A.143) arms New Yorkers with the resources we need to protect ourselves from corporations that put their profit margins over our health. Read more
Two more town wells exceed state PFOA limits
Rensselaer County officials announced last week that two more residential wells tested positive for PFOA contamination, adding to an already enormous body of evidence demonstrating the state’s need to test for emerging contaminants. A bill to expand water testing (S.1759A/A.126A) for PFAS and other chemicals in all drinking water sources passed both houses of the legislature earlier this year and now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. Read more
John Oliver spotlights PFAS on primetime
With an assist from leggy starlet Danny Devito, John Oliver spent 20 minutes breaking down the dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and outlining the chemical industry’s long and disturbing history of playing dumb about the hazards they’ve eagerly sold people for many decades. Read more
JOIN US
Last chance to join the party! On October 27th, Clean and Healthy New York celebrates 15 incredible years of environmental health triumphs for New Yorkers everywhere. The event is fully virtual, so you can join from anywhere. Snag a ticket while they’re still available here!
Learn about the impact lead poisoning is having on New York’s communities today, and what the Lead-Free Kids NY coalition and legislators can do about it. Register today for a Lead Poisoning Prevention Rally, 12-2 pm on October 28th: register here!
Building a just and healthy society in which toxic chemicals are unthinkable.
69 State St. Suite 1400C
Albany, NY 12207
518-641-1552
info@chny.org
www.chny.org