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History
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides for a public health study by the department of health on the installation of synthetic turf
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor James S. Alesi
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A10298
Title of bill
An act to direct the department of health to conduct a comprehensive public health study; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
The bill requires an assessment of the public health and environmental impacts of the use of synthetic turf in indoor and outdoor settings.
Summary of specific provisions
: The bill would require a comprehensive assessment of the potential adverse impacts of synthetic turf on public health and the environment by the Departments of Health and Environ- mental Conservation with a report back to the Governor and the Legisla- ture.
Justification
Increasingly, synthetic turf is being installed in many locations in New York State, including parks; athletic fields, indoor facilities and other settings where natural grass was previously grown. In recent years, crumb rubber fill in being used as a component of synthetic turf and mulch. The crumb rubber is a result of processing waste tires, which contain numerous components, some which are known to be hazardous. These contaminants can include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, vanadium, zinc and acetone. Health effects associated with these contaminants include birth defects, cancer, nervous system damage, and immune system suppression.
In 2004, the Legislature passed the historic Waste Tire Management Act, which provided for the collection and recycling/reuse of millions of waste tires stockpiled in New York State. While various options for waste tire use are essential to reduce significant stockpiles of waste tires, these uses should not threaten or compromise public health or the environment.
Limited testing of synthetic turf has occurred, identifying levels of concern of lead; arsenic, cadmium, chromium and other contaminants, However, more information is necessary to make informed decisions on the appropriate uses of this material. In the interest of preventing adverse health impacts and contamination to natural resources, the Legislature finds that a comprehensive investigation on the potential threats asso- ciated with the use of synthetic turf is warranted. Therefore, DOH is mandated, in cooperation with DEC, to conduct a comprehensive investi- gation into the exposure and contamination potential of synthetic turf, including routes of exposure through installation, maintenance, removal and disposal of synthetic turf and its alternatives including natural turf. The DOH report would be required to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.