emerging contaminants

Carcinogen found again, 4 years after Superfund site cleanup

Carcinogen found again, 4 years after Superfund site cleanup

Four years after cleaning up waste at a Superfund site in West Islip, the state again has detected high levels of a carcinogenic heavy metal in the area — kicking off a blame game among stakeholders in the area that includes outraged residents. 

Toxic Chemicals Found Again At West Islip Superfund Site: Report

Toxic Chemicals Found Again At West Islip Superfund Site: Report

The state has once again detected high levels of carcinogenic heavy metals in West Islip, Newsday says.

WEST ISLIP, NY — New York State has again detected high levels of cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, at a Superfund site in West Islip four years after the waste was initially cleaned up, according to a report from Newsday.

We need to have the best water possible

We need to have the best water possible

All Long Islanders agree about the need for clean water [“Clean-water funding is crucial in state budget,” Opinion, March 24]. Nitrogen pollution from sewage is causing water quality impairments, fish kills and harmful algal blooms. Contaminants poses a significant threat to our drinking water and health. The good news is that we know how to solve these problems, but we need money.

DEC: Chemical drums buried at Bethpage park are 'no immediate threat to public health' at site

DEC: Chemical drums buried at Bethpage park are 'no immediate threat to public health' at site

Workers wearing protective gear toiled Wednesday by a pit at Bethpage Community Park where contractors found six chemical drums last week as state officials said the discovery presented “no immediate threat to public health” at the site where Grumman Aerospace dumped toxins decades ago.

Biden administration announces new safety standards for tap water

Biden administration announces new safety standards for tap water

For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency is requiring water suppliers to test for six manmade chemicals known as PFAS to clean the tap water in the homes of millions nationwide.  

New EPA limits on PFAS 'forever chemicals' set stricter standards for Long Island drinking water

New EPA limits on PFAS 'forever chemicals' set stricter standards for Long Island drinking water

The federal government will, for the first time, require utilities to limit “forever chemicals” in drinking water linked to cancers, developmental damage and other health problems, imposing stricter levels than current state standards on the contaminants in Long Island drinking water.

EPA announces strict federal drinking water standard for PFAS contamination

EPA announces strict federal drinking water standard for PFAS contamination

Highlights

·      The final rule announced today by the EPA is stricter than the proposed rule published last year and stricter than the standard adopted by New York State in 2020.

·      PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” are harmful substances linked to deadly cancers and other health impacts. They are prevalent in the environment from many sources.

·      The federal agency also announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities comply with the rule.

·      Public water suppliers will have five years to comply with the rule if they detect PFAS in their systems.

More than 100 Manorville homes complete hookup to public water after some wells show PFAS contamination

More than 100 Manorville homes complete hookup to public water after some wells show PFAS contamination

'I don't have to worry about filters'

Karen Notaro can now drink water from the faucets of her Manorville home without worry.

Notaro had turned to filters and bottled water because her home’s private well had tested positive for PFAS, chemicals the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said are potentially carcinogenic.

Gillibrand introduces bipartisan legislation to extend Great Lakes’ protections

Gillibrand introduces bipartisan legislation to extend Great Lakes’ protections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and members of the Great Lakes Task Force today introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024, which extends this critical program for another five years through 2031, and increases annual funding levels from $475 million in 2026 to $500 million from 2027 through 2031.

NYS: 'Transformative,' $479 million investment for 156 local water infrastructure projects in every region

NYS: 'Transformative,' $479 million investment for 156 local water infrastructure projects in every region

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $479 million in grants for critical water infrastructure projects, including the first funding awarded through the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which was passed by voters after Hochul pushed to increase the total amount by $1 billion upon taking office. 

Doctors, Farmers, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Neonic-Limiting Bill

Doctors, Farmers, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Neonic-Limiting Bill

10 Days Left for Governor to Protect New Yorkers’ Public Health, Environment

ALBANY, NY — With 10 days left to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A / A7640), New Yorkers have called for action from Governor Kathy Hochul. Today, doctors, farmers, and advocates expressed concern that if Governor Hochul doesn’t sign the bill, an immense opportunity would be missed to protect people and the environment from neonic pesticide exposure. The Birds and Bees Protection Act would eliminate 80-90% of neonics from entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting the use of neonic-coated corn and soybean seeds, as well as limiting unnecessary neonic lawn and garden uses.

Governor unveils new clean water program in Suffolk County, targets septics

Governor unveils new clean water program in Suffolk County, targets septics

As on any other weekday, traffic buzzed along Vanderbilt Motor Parkway in Hauppauge on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 12. Yet unknown to those in their vehicles, it was no ordinary weekday.

Governor Hochul Announces Transformative $479 Million Investment for 156 Local Water Infrastructure Projects in Every Region of New York

Governor Hochul Announces Transformative $479 Million Investment for 156 Local Water Infrastructure Projects in Every Region of New York

First Investments from the Environmental Bond Act and Latest Round of the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant Programs

Funding Projected to Save $1.3 Billion for New Yorkers and Create 24,000 Jobs

SCWA unveils new water treatment systems for Huntington

SCWA unveils new water treatment systems for Huntington

In a secluded residential block on Northport’s McKinney Avenue lies an advanced water treatment center masquerading as a barn.

At this site, representatives from the Suffolk County Water Authority joined state and local public officials for a press event on Thursday, Aug. 24, announcing eight new high-tech water filtration systems for local drinking water.

Systems installed in Huntington to remove contaminant from existing water wells

Systems installed in Huntington to remove contaminant from existing water wells

The Suffolk County Water Authority on Thursday said it completed installation of eight advanced-water treatment systems in Huntington Town that will remove an emerging contaminant from existing water wells. 

New York forces Brookhaven to address toxic plume coming from its landfill

New York forces Brookhaven to address toxic plume coming from its landfill

Brookhaven Landfill rises behind the Frank P. Long Intermediate School and playground in North Bellport.

An underground plume of PFAS and other dangerous chemicals has emanated from the Brookhaven Landfill for decades. The Town of Brookhaven is now ordered to measure how far they must go to remediate affected drinking water sources.

Gillibrand Seeks Bipartisan Buy-In on ‘Forever Chemicals’ Bill Unveiled at Local Event

Gillibrand Seeks Bipartisan Buy-In on ‘Forever Chemicals’ Bill Unveiled at Local Event

Nothing lasts forever — though there are some notable exceptions: love, according to the poet; sadness, according to the painter; and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS, according to U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

She was at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge last Friday, July 28, to announce that she had introduced the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2023, which sets out to regulate the toxic but widely used “forever chemicals” under the aegis of the Clean Water Act.

Kirsten Gillibrand seeks new regulations for perfluoroalkyl, polyfluoroalkyl

Kirsten Gillibrand seeks new regulations for perfluoroalkyl, polyfluoroalkyl

New federal guidelines proposed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to regulate “forever chemicals” and hold polluters accountable could lead, she says, to cleaner drinking water on Long Island.