emerging contaminants

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

Measure Protects Public Health and Environment by Reducing Harmful Emerging Contaminant in Cleaning, Personal Care, and Cosmetic Products

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the adoption of new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleansing, personal care, and cosmetic products. New York is the first state in the nation to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities.  

Water quality advocates pushing Navy to test for chemical drums at former Grumman site

Water quality advocates pushing Navy to test for chemical drums at former Grumman site

Water quality advocates in Calverton, prompted by recent discoveries of chemical drums at Bethpage Community Park, are calling on the U.S. Navy to investigate whether similar barrels also are buried in the hamlet, where Northrop Grumman once operated an aerospace facility.

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $2.2 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in 2024

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $2.2 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in 2024

Environmental Facilities Corporation's Financial Assistance is Making Projects Affordable for New Yorkers, Safeguarding Drinking Water, and Improving Water Quality in Support of Nation-Leading Clean Water Goals

EFC Investments Highlighted in the Corporation’s Annual Program Metrics Report

New Project Impact Dashboard Enables the Public to Track Project Investments Statewide

HAMPTON BAYS CLEANUP HIGHLIGHTS COMPLEXITY OF PFAS REMEDIATION

HAMPTON BAYS CLEANUP HIGHLIGHTS COMPLEXITY OF PFAS REMEDIATION

As communities across the country decide how they will remove perfluorinated compounds from drinking water and contaminated soils, a cleanup surrounding the Hampton Bays Fire Department headquarters on Montauk Highway highlights the complex layers of bureaucracy underlying the removal of so-called “forever chemicals.”

Hempstead drinking water said to contain high levels of cancer-causing chemicals

Hempstead drinking water said to contain high levels of cancer-causing chemicals

Hempstead water has cancer-causing chemicals

Scientists say the drinking water in Hempstead is contaminated with a likely cancer-causing chemical. FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg takes a closer look.

Legislators, Advocates Urge Albany to Take Action to Protect Against PFAS Exposure

Legislators, Advocates Urge Albany to Take Action to Protect Against PFAS Exposure

ALBANY, NY (May 15, 2024) — Today state legislators and advocates called for the immediate passage of a set of bills to reduce human exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and limit environmental contamination from PFAS in New York, including:

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS in key consumer and household products (A3556C/S5648C),

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic chemicals in personal care and cosmetic products (A6969/S4265), 

  • a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic products in menstrual products (A5990/S3529), 

  • and a bill to require testing for the presence of PFAS released into waterways (A3296A/S227B). 

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Watch the video here: https://longisland.news12.com/meeting-held-over-next-steps-for-cleanup-at-bethpage-community-park

Members of the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Conservation, the Navy and Northrop Grumman were at the meeting, which News 12 was not allowed into.

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.

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