Relates to the use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in nursing homes and adult homes

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in nursing homes, residential care facilities and adult homes

Purpose or general idea of bill

To establish guidelines for the use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in nursing homes, residential health care facilities, adult homes and senior centers.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Amends the Public Health Law by adding a new section 28D8-e. Defines the following terms: nursing home, residential health care facility, adult home and senior center. Provides that the Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioners of Environmental Conservation and Labor, shall establish and from time to amend guidelines and specifications for environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products. Requires the Commissioners to review and evaluate existing research regarding environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products, including but not limited to, research and guidance issued by the United States EPA and the office of the Federal Environmental Executive. Requires the Commissioner to disseminate guidelines and specifications for the purchase and use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products and to prepare and disseminate a sample list of environmentally-sensitive cleaning products that meet these guidelines or specifications. Requires the Department to issue a report on or before June 1, 2018 providing an analysis of the impact of such guidelines and specifications on the purchasing, procurement and use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products. Nothing in this section shall preclude these institutions from depleting existing cleaning and maintenance supply stores purchased prior to the effective date of this section.

Section 2. Effective Date

Existing law

None

Justification

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that exposure to air pollutants while indoors can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. Senior citizens, who typically spend substantial portions of the day indoors, are especially vulnerable to chemicals from cleaners, waxes, deodorizers and other maintenance products. Many elderly New Yorkers suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including asthma, emphysema, and allergies. This legislation would address this health concern by establishing guidelines for the use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products in nursing homes, residential health care facilities, adult homes and senior centers. These guidelines will mandate a transition to environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance supplies commonly found in the marketplace. The required changes will reduce the possibility of exposure to senior citizens and staff to potentially harmful chemicals found in many cleaning products.

Prior legislative history

2014: S.866A - Amend and Recommit to Environmental Conservation

2013: S.866 - Referred to Environmental Conservation/A.624 - Enacting Clause Stricken 2012: S.125A - Amend and recommit to Environmental Conservation/A.2096-A - Amend and Recommit to Health 2011: S.125 - Notice of Committee Consideration Requested, Committee Discharged Committed to Environmental Conservation/A.2096 - Referred to Health 2009-10: S.5724 - Referred to Health/A.8534 - Referred to Health

Fiscal implications

Undetermined

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, provided that the Commissioner of Health is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement the provisions of this act on or before its effective date.