November 2021 Spotlight
Happy Thanksgiving! 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 Passes Environmental Rights Amendment
This month, New Yorkers went to the ballot box and voted overwhelmingly in support of New York Proposition 2, which grants New Yorkers a right to clean water, clean air, and a healthful environment. Advocates and community leaders are optimistic the new law will provide the legal framework advocates need to pursue bold reforms. See more
How Schools can Help Cut Childhood Lead Poisoning in Children
In 2016, New York City began assessing and reducing lead in school drinking water by testing every water fixture, fountain, and bottle filling station. The program led to a major reduction in childhood lead poisoning among Black students in particular. A bill to address lead in school drinking water statewide (S.2122A Rivera/A.160B Gottfried) awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. Read more
The Infrastructure Bill Should Help Underserved Communities
This month, the US Congress passed the largest bill to fund infrastructure investments in over a decade. If implemented well, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could be an enormous resource for addressing long-standing inequities and cumulative environmental impacts in communities of color through clean energy, environmental remediation, and better access to healthcare. Read more
New York to Charge Drivers for Pollution
High traffic causes air pollution that triggers asthma and is a known source of childhood cancer. To reduce this, New York City is implementing congestion pricing - charging drivers to enter high-traffic zones. Under current proposals, drivers will pay somewhere between $9 and $23 to drive passenger vehicles south of Central Park, with revenue going toward the city’s public transit system. Reducing emissions of carbon, brake particulates and more is essential for maintaining healthy air for residents in these popular areas. Read more
A Kentucky Teflon Recycler is Poisoning Their Community
Recycling sounds good, but not when the materials are toxic. Last year, a food producer planning a $100 million investment in an industrial site in Henderson, KY backed out after groundwater testing revealed high levels of PFAS - a toxic class of “forever chemicals.” The source? A company that recycles Teflon coatings. We must end PFAS production, and that of other toxic chemicals, or continue to see communities suffer health and environmental impacts. Read more
Like to party? Clean and Healthy New York will be hosting its 15th Anniversary virtually on October 27th. Join us in honoring leaders in environmental health and justice and celebrating another remarkable year. You can sign up here.
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