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Who cares
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Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 2591a
- Amend and recommit to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
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.
Relates to banning formaldehyde in certain children's products
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to banning formaldehyde in certain children's products
Purpose
This bill bans the sale of children's products that contain formaldehyde.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends Article 37 of the environmental conservation law by adding a new title 9, and by adding Section 37-0901.
Section 1 of Section 37-0901 defines terms used in the bill. For the purposes of this bill, children are defined as those aged 12 and under.
Section 2 of Section 37-0901 sets forth the parameters of the ban of children's products containing formaldehyde, prohibiting retailers from selling children's product that intentionally contains formaldehyde or intentionally added chemical ingredients that chemically degrade to release free formaldehyde at levels exceeding 0.05 percent, beginning April 1, 2018.
Section 2 of the bill establishes the effective date.
Justification
Formaldehyde was added to the list of human carcinogens by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2011. Notwithstanding this, it continues to be used in many household products, including those intended for children.
A 2011 report by Washington Toxins Coalition and Safer States showcased the frequency with which formaldehyde was found in children's blankets, clothing, and toys even though it has been classified as a severe developmental toxin and in the worst category for carcinogenicity. Children are more susceptible to the dangers of formaldehyde which can cause serious nervous system damage and asthma.
In addition, formaldehyde is an environmental pollutant. A 2010 report by the National Toxicology Program showed that formaldehyde is present in indoor and outdoor air, soil, food, treated and untreated drinking water, surface water and groundwater. One of the major sources of airborne formaldehyde is off-gassing from consumer goods.
Legislative history
2013-2014: S.6415C Amended & Recommitted to Health/A8886-B Passed Assembly
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.