Scientists, public officials, environmental advocates, and others, about 180 people, gathered at the Radisson Hotel in Hauppauge on November 19, to discuss the effort to restore Long Island’s water quality. The Long Island Clean Water Partnership assembled experts on the subject to discuss progress to date and immediate actions necessary in the coming year.
While the ban on single-use plastic bags in New York State begins in March, a Westchester town is taking the initiative and will begin a town-wide ban beginning next month.
Beginning on Sunday, Dec. 1, the Town of Mamaroneck will institute a ban on single-use bags and a 5-cent tax on paper bags in local stores, after the Town Board passed the “Mamaroneck Bag Waste Reduction Law.”
Lawmakers in Hartford must adopt critical measures to keep PFAS out of our water and bodies. Email elected leaders today and tell them to protect our drinking water from PFAS contamination and to ban PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam!
What are PFAS?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) refers to a suite of synthetic chemicals used in many household and industrial products, including firefighting foam, food packaging, and numerous water-resistant, stain-proof, and nonstick products. Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals are a threat to human health and are being found in drinking water supplies in CT and across the nation.
An Emerging Threat to Public Health
PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in our environment and our bodies. According to the CDC, PFAS are present in the bloodstream of 98% of American adults. Research shows that PFAS chemicals contribute to thyroid problems, adverse developmental effects, higher cholesterol levels and decreased immune response in children. The U.S. EPA has indicated that PFAS may contribute to kidney and testicular cancers.
Contaminating Connecticut’s Drinking Water & Environment
From 2013-2015, the EPA required 40 public water systems in CT to test for PFAS chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS. These chemicals were not detected above federal reporting limits; however, emerging science indicates these chemicals present a serious public health risk, even at very low levels. Several states have taken steps to advance drinking water standards for PFAS well below current federal reporting limits in order to protect public health. More recently, private drinking water wells in Greenwich and Willimantic, CT were found to have high levels of PFAS, prompting state officials to issue “do not drink” orders for residents.
PFAS chemicals are also being discharged into our waterways from wastewater treatment plants and septic systems. In 2018, researchers at UCONN tested twelve sewage treatment plants in CT, and found that 100% of those plants were discharging PFAS chemicals into local waterways that eventually drain into LI Sound.
CT Must Take Action to Protect our Water and Health from PFAS
With the chemical industry pushing back against any meaningful action to protect public health and the environment from PFAS, it is imperative that our elected officials stand up for our health and environment and adopt the following measures:
Ban PFAS in Food Packaging
PFAS are widely used in food packaging for their stain and grease repellent properties. Scientific studies show that food packaging is one of the most common ways humans are exposed to PFAS chemicals. Currently, there are no state or federal regulations on the use of short-chain PFAS in food service packaging, and there is no way for consumers to know if their food is packaged using PFAS. The only way to ensure PFAS are not contaminating our food and beverages is to ban them in food packaging.
Ban PFAS in Firefighting Foam
In June of 2019, more than 20,000 gallons of firefighting foam containing PFAS escaped into the Farmington River following an accidental discharge at Bradley Airport. The spill prompted CT DEEP to issue a fishing ban in the lower Farmington River. CT DEEP estimates more than 24,000 gallons of PFAS-containing firefighting foam is stockpiled at fire departments and airport hangars around the State. PFAS-free foams are effective and readily available for use—Connecticut should prohibit the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals, wherever possible.
Adopt Strong Drinking Water Standards for PFAS
Regrettably, there is no federal drinking water standard established for PFAS chemicals in drinking water. Many states are stepping up to protect the health of residents by adopting their own drinking water standards. New science is revealing that even extremely low levels of exposure to PFOA and PFOS may cause health effects, such as immune suppression and serious developmental impairments. CT must set drinking water standards as low as possible. It is technologically feasible to treat water supplies down to a combined Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) of 2 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS, using activated carbon filtration technology. In order to adequately protect public health, Connecticut should adopt a combined MCL of 2ppt for PFOA and PFOS.
Email Connecticut House and Senate leadership today!
Thanks for taking action. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE
CENTERPORT, NY — Two new Innovative Alternative On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS) were installed at the Vanderbilt Museum, located on Northport Bay. Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer joined County Executive Steve Bellone, environmental advocates, and local leaders to announce the news on Wednesday.
SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Water is a precious natural resource. It's to be expected that when one goes to drink water from a tap, it'll be clean and safe. That assumption could be at risk, particularly for Long Islanders.
NEW YORK - When it comes to Long Island’s drinking water many have concerns about drinking from unfiltered faucets because of emerging contaminants in Long Island’s aquifer.
But now a new idea of possibly tapping into New York City’s upstate water supply has some officials wondering if it’s realistic.
Local and state officials want to study the idea of tapping into New York City's upstate water supply because of concerns about emerging contaminants in Long Island's aquifer.
Members of the Island's delegation to the State Legislature and local officials plan to explore purchasing city water to service residents of western Nassau County in what would be a dramatic change for a region that long has relied on its underground aquifers for tap water.
Long Island has one source of drinking water that must be protected to ensure its safety for future generations: groundwater. Within the last 18 months, the safety of Long Island’s groundwater has been called into question with the detection of emerging contaminants, such as 1,4-dioxane and Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium 6) in aquifers across the Island at levels that far exceed the national average.
Baby Shampoo and Conditioner Market 2019
Market Overview
Baby care products have become popular in recent times with the growth of dedicated markets for these products. Baby shampoo and conditioners are specially made to cleanse and detangle the tender hair and be gentle on baby’s scalp. The ingredients and chemical composition of these products vary a lot from regular cosmetics and self-care products. They are designed to suit baby skin and help in nourishing the growing toddlers. Baby shampoos and conditioners help keep baby hair soft, smooth, and shiny, making it easy to comb and leave them feeling healthy.
Elected officials on Long Island are proposing legislation to fight environmental crimes and illegal dumping.
The suggested legislation would incorporate recommendations from Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini’s special grand jury report that looked at the impact of illegal dumping and other environmental crimes on Long Island.
The latest U.N. climate report warns of drastic, accelerated changes in our oceans due to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The climate crisis is projected to cause dramatic sea level rise, stronger hurricanes and regular flooding of coastal cities. New York has an aggressive plan to move to renewable energies and has made efforts to fortify at-risk areas, including on Long Island. Connecticut has promised smaller renewable energy goals, and environmentalists are concerned the state will take too long to make necessary changes.
