microplastic

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. 

Sweeping measure on packaging recycling advances in New York State Legislature

Sweeping measure on packaging recycling advances in New York State Legislature

ALBANY — The State Legislature has agreed to a deal that would require large companies in New York to significantly decrease millions of tons of packaging waste each year, including plastic packs of food, cans, detergent bottles and single-use cups and cardboard.

SKIP THE STUFF" MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM

SKIP THE STUFF" MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM

With the April 19 passage of an East Hampton Village “Skip the Stuff” law phasing in a requirement for village restaurants to refrain from automatically giving out disposable cutlery and condiments, the Suffolk County Legislature and East Hampton Town are now also considering a similar proposal.

Long Island Sound network awarded $262K for conservation efforts

Long Island Sound network awarded $262K for conservation efforts

The groups that make up the Long Island Sound Coastal Watershed Network have been awarded more than $262,000 to continue their efforts in addressing water quality issues. 

The network, a partnership between Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Save the Sound and The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, received the funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund.  

NYS Department of State releases new plan to improve conditions along Long Island's South Shore waterways

NYS Department of State releases new plan to improve conditions along Long Island's South Shore waterways

BABYLON, N.Y. -- Long Island has more than 70 miles of South Shore bays often teeming with boats. However, water quality has been declining for years, impacting fishing and recreation.

Plan seeks to preserve 'ecological wonderland' of South Shore

Plan seeks to preserve 'ecological wonderland' of South Shore

Long Island's South Shore Estuary Reserve is an "ecological wonderland" whose vast natural resources must be managed, protected and restored, state officials said Monday as they released a five-year plan that addresses coastal resiliency, water quality, climate change and tourism.

Your Used Mask Needs to Make It to the Trash Can

Your Used Mask Needs to Make It to the Trash Can

They’re on beaches, in parking lots and on sidewalks. You probably won’t catch the coronavirus from a discarded mask, but the litter poses a risk to the environment.

Helen Lowman looks at litter a lot. It’s her job. But while walking her dog in Westport, Conn., in March, she noticed an alarming trend. First she passed some dirty wipes on the ground. Then there were gloves. And finally a mask. Four months later, she said the litter of personal protective gear has only gotten worse.

Discarded masks and gloves are becoming a health hazard as people dump them on streets

Discarded masks and gloves are becoming a health hazard as people dump them on streets

During a walk around his block in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mark Benfield was struck by how many discarded gloves and masks he saw on his short route.

The Louisiana State University professor, who focuses on microplastic pollution, decided to track the waste he saw with pictures geotagged to the location where he spotted it.

New York State Bans Styrofoam!

CCE applauds Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature for eradicating environmentally harmful Styrofoam products in New York

For immediate release: April 2, 2020

For more information, contact: Adrienne Esposito, 631-384-1378 aesposito@citizenscampaign.org or Brian Smith, 716-472-4078, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org

Albany, NY—Today, the NYS Legislature passed a ban on Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam, commonly referred to as Styrofoam TM, in the 2020-21 SFY Budget. In response, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), said:

“This shows true leadership and foresight in protecting the environment amid a public health crisis. Environmentalists, municipalities, and New Yorkers have long awaited ending the scourge of Styrofoam across the State. CCE thanks Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature for taking action in protecting our environment from harmful and unnecessary Styrofoam containers and loose fill packaging. Styrofoam is one of the top ten contributors to environmental litter and has long-term negative impacts on our waterways and wildlife. Styrofoam doesn’t breakdown, it breaks apart into small pieces eventually becoming microplastic pollution in our waterways.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program listed styrene, a chemical in EPS foam, as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” It is known to leach from food packaging containers into food or drinks, especially when exposed to heat. No longer will the public unknowingly ingest cancer-causing styrene when they get a cup of coffee or takeout from restaurants.

This ban builds on New York’s commitment to ensuring our environment and public health is safeguarded from disposable plastic pollution. Many New York counties have already banned Styrofoam food containers with widespread support from the public; we applaud the Governor and NYS Legislature for banning Styrofoam containers statewide and raising the bar by including loose fill packaging in the ban.”

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Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State Proposes NY Ban on Polystyrene Foam Food Containers

Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State Proposes NY Ban on Polystyrene Foam Food Containers

If Governor Andrew Cuomo gets his way, there could be a statewide ban on single-use polystyrene foam food containers beginning in 2022. Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State includes a proposal to prohibit the distribution and use of polystyrene foam containers used by grocery stores, restaurants and other places where food is served. The ban would also apply to the sale of polystyrene loose fill packaging, also known as “packing peanuts.”

Governor Cuomo Proposes Ban on Styrofoam in 2020

For immediate release: December 17, 2019

For more information, contact:  Adrienne Esposito, 516-390-7150, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org

CCE lauds proposal to rid New York of environmentally harmful product

Albany, NY—Today Governor Cuomo is proposing to ban StyrofoamTM, as part of his 2020 State of the State proposals.  In response to the announcement, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), said:

“We applaud Governor Cuomo for proposing to ban this antiquated and environmentally harmfully product in New York State.  Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, commonly referred to as “Styrofoam™”, poses a significant risk to the health of our environment. Styrofoam packaging is only used for a short time, but can wreak havoc on our environment for generations—littering open spaces, polluting waterways, and harming wildlife. Styrofoam doesn’t biodegrade; instead it breaks into small pieces and eventually becomes microplastic pollution in our waterways.

Styrofoam also poses a threat to human health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program listed styrene, a chemical in EPS foam, is listed as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” It is known to leach from food packaging containers into food or drinks, especially when exposed to heat.  When grabbing a cup of coffee on the go, we expect it to contain milk and sugar but not a dose of cancer causing styrene.  Takeout food is meant to be convenient, not carcinogenic. 

There is absolutely no reason to continue using this harmful material when sustainable alternatives are readily available.  NYC, along with several New York Counties, have already taken action to ban Styrofoam. I live in a village that banned Styrofoam in 2018 and the transition to new materials was seamless and widely embraced by the public.  Now we need a statewide ban.  We urge the legislature to work with the Governor to adopt the strongest ban possible in the 2020-21 SFY budget. “ 

Go Green with Kelly and Colleen

Go Green with Kelly and Colleen

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.

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