pesticide

How Long Island’s produce is impacted by ‘forever’ chemicals

How Long Island’s produce is impacted by ‘forever’ chemicals

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment Lunch & Learn

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) hosted a webinar last Thursday, March 5, to discuss the impacts of toxic PFAS chemicals in New York, where scholars discussed their findings regarding the detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on locally grown produce on Long Island.

The online panel follows a collaborative study between Stony Brook University, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and Citizens Campaign for the Environment, according to the CCE website. The discussion featured PEER director of Science Policy Dr. Kyla Bennett, CCE executive director Adrienne Esposito, Stony Brook University professor Dr. Lokesh Padhye and research consultant Dr. Seven Lasee.

High levels of PFAS found in produce from 8 Long Island farms

High levels of PFAS found in produce from 8 Long Island farms

A new study shows toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS may be entering the food chain on Long Island through contaminated soil, water and air.

PFAS have leached into our food from packaging and cookware. Now the risk may also be reaching our crops themselves. 

PFAS chemicals found in Long Island produce

PFAS chemicals found in Long Island produce

In 2025, Stony Brook University, PEER and Citizens Campaign for the Environment tested local produce from eight Long Island farms, including organic and conventional farms that use pesticides. They tested 23 vegetables including lettuce, carrots, and beets.

Cheese manufacturer polluted water for months before Ischua Creek die-off

Cheese manufacturer polluted water for months before Ischua Creek die-off

Great Lakes Cheese often polluted Ischua Creek, data shows

It has been nearly a month since the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation began investigating wastewater discharge from Great Lakes Cheese that likely killed tens of thousands of fish and countless other aquatic species in Ischua Creek.

With their wild look, native gardens bloom despite cultural and social hurdles

With their wild look, native gardens bloom despite cultural and social hurdles

Xilin Zhang was tired of the pressures of maintaining the “perfect lawn,” she said.

So Zhang, a homeowner in the village of New Hyde Park, yanked out her grass and turned her front lawn into a native plant garden: She planted milkweed, false sunflower, New York Ironweed and other plants native to the area. She began the work in 2021 and, over the past few years, her yard started to look like a “little national park,” she said, and was better for the environment, too.

7 LI environmental groups to share $659G in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts from Roundup weedkiller settlement

7 LI environmental groups to share $659G in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts from Roundup weedkiller settlement

Seven Long Island environmental organizations are receiving a combined $659,000 in grants to support pollinator conservation efforts, grow thousands of native plants and create new community gardens, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.

Lawmakers debate bill that could forever alter lawn care: 'This policy safeguards the health of … our children and grandchildren'

Lawmakers debate bill that could forever alter lawn care: 'This policy safeguards the health of … our children and grandchildren'

Maryland has introduced a bill requiring its Department of Agriculture to ban certain pesticides, including PFAS, or "forever chemicals," according to CBS News. This bill may cause some worry about the impact on lawn treatments, but are fewer chemicals in our environment necessarily a bad thing?

Proposed bill could ban certain pesticides with PFAS chemicals in Maryland

Proposed bill could ban certain pesticides with PFAS chemicals in Maryland

A proposed bill in Maryland could require the Department of Agriculture to ban certain pesticides and PFAS, or forever chemicals, from being used in the state. 

Under House Bill 386, the Department of Agriculture would have to develop a list of certain pesticides that have forever chemicals as active ingredients. Those listed chemicals would not be allowed to be used or sold in the state. 

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

Adrienne Esposito
Executive Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment

As executive director and a co-founder of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Adrienne Esposito has worked on numerous environmental campaigns for more than 35 years.  

APA should pause ProcellaCOR permits to assess herbicide’s safety

APA should pause ProcellaCOR permits to assess herbicide’s safety

Re: Moratorium on ProcellaCOR Permitting Pending PFAS and Human Health and Ecological Impact Concerns  

Dear Adirondack Park Agency Executive Director Barbara Rice, 

The undersigned are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recently disclosed Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within  pesticides, including florpyrauxifen-benzyl which is the active chemical ingredient in ProcellaCOR EC and  SE. As the Adirondack Park Agency is aware, ProcellaCOR EC is the less concentrated form of  ProcellaCOR SE, both of which are manufactured by the SePRO Corporation, the former of which has  been recently approved for use in several lakes in the Adirondacks. 

Governor signs change to law authorizing Suffolk sales tax hike, teeing up November vote

Governor signs change to law authorizing Suffolk sales tax hike, teeing up November vote

An amendment to the law that allows Suffolk County to increase its sales tax rate by 1/8 of a cent to finance the installation of sewer and advanced septic systems was signed into law today by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The governor’s signature on the amendment, negotiated by state and county lawmakers, sets the stage for the county to put a referendum on ballot in this year’s general election seeking voter approval of the sales tax increase.

Legislators, Advocates Urge Swift Action on Bills to Protect NYers from PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Legislators, Advocates Urge Swift Action on Bills to Protect NYers from PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

ALBANY, NY  — Today legislators and the PFAS-Free New York coalition gathered in Albany to call for urgent action to pass package of bills for the 2024 legislative session that would curb PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in New York State. The bills call for eliminating PFAS in key consumer and household products (A3556A/S5648-A), in personal care and cosmetic products (A6969/S4265), and in menstrual products (A5990/S3529); as well as a bill to track the levels of PFAS in effluent released into waterways (A3296A/S227-B).

NEW YORK: First to Protect Birds, Bees From Neonic Pesticides

NEW YORK: First to Protect Birds, Bees From Neonic Pesticides

ALBANY, New York, January 30, 2024 (ENS) – New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law first-in-the-nation legislation to protect birds and bees from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides used on outdoor ornamental plants and turfs, and the seeds of corn, soybeans and wheat. This law is the first in the United States to limit neonicotinoid coating on seeds.

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

Hochul signs ‘Birds and Bees’ Act

To help safeguard pollinators, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the “Birds and Bees Protection Act.”

Signed into law last week, the legislation prohibits the use of specific neonicotinoid pesticide-treated corn, soybean and wheat seeds and neonicotinoid pesticides for outdoor ornamental plants and turfs. The ban goes into effect in 2027, according to published reports.

Hochul signs ban on controversial pesticide

Hochul signs ban on controversial pesticide

Substance is considered dangerous to bees

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a partial ban on neonicotinoids, a powerful and widely-used pesticide that environmentalists say is the most harmful chemical since DDT,  but which farmers have long relied upon to control pests.

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Advocates, Health Professionals, and Farmers Celebrate

ALBANY, NY — A coalition of farmers, health professionals, and environmental groups are celebrating today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A/A7640). The bill will limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics), and, when fully implemented, would eliminate up to 80-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting only unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses.

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