Relates to the protection of public health from exposure to radon in natural gas

1 Co-sponsor

• Tony Avella

BILL NUMBER:S3414

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law and the public service law, in relation to the protection of public health from exposure to radon in natural gas

Purpose

To provide the protection of public health from exposure to radon in natural gas

Summary of provisions

Section one sets forth the legislative intent and findings Section two adds new a new article, 35-B to the Public Health Law

Sections three and four amends subdivisions one and two of section 18-a of the Public Service law

Section five sets forth a severability clause Section six sets forth the effective date

Justification

All natural gas distributed to consumers in United States contains some level of radon and potentially other radioactive substances. Shale gas development produces natural gas-containing radon, and the level of radon in natural gas varies from one gas production area to another. In New York City alone, natural gas is currently the predominant fuel used for cooking by residents and will likely continue to be the predominant cooking fuel for many years. Currently, one of New York's prime sources of natural gas is from the Gulf of Mexico off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. This gas contains radon at the wellhead at a level of approximately 5 picoCuries per liter, which decays to levels below 2 picoCuries per liter during the six to eight day travel time to New York City and other parts of the state.

However, with proposed natural gas extraction closer to home, it is important that we do not allow the levels of radon in our gas supply to dangerously increase beyond levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has been well documented that people exposed to radon have an increased likelihood of developing lung cancer.

While there is no "safe" level of exposure to radon, the U.S, Environmental Protection Agency recommends mitigation beginning at 2.0 picoCuries per liter and active mitigation at 4.0 or more picoCuries per liter. This legislation would seek to ensure that radon levels at the point of use are kept at a safe minimum of 2.7 picoCuries per liter and would direct the Department of Health to provide adequate oversight and testing of such established levels.

Prior legislative history

2014 - died in Health Committee; reported from Assembly Health, died in Codes 2013 - died in Health Committee in both Houses.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that section two of this act shall take effect sixty days after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commissioner of health, the chair of the public service commission, the comptroller, and the director of the budget are authorized to make regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date.