What's happening
This bill prohibits the MTA from using cleaning chemicals that can cause or worsen asthma, as determined by the state health commissioner.
Why it matters
Protects transit workers and riders from health risks. By banning asthma-causing cleaning chemicals, the bill aims to reduce workplace exposures that can cause or worsen asthma among MTA employees and the public, especially those with existing respiratory conditions.
Targets health disparities in vulnerable communities. Asthma rates are highest in low-income and minority neighborhoods—populations that rely most on public transit—so this bill could help address environmental health inequities.
Relies on scientific authority for enforcement. The list of prohibited chemicals will be developed by the state health commissioner, ensuring that restrictions are based on current medical and toxicological evidence rather than arbitrary decisions.
May influence broader cleaning practices. As a major public entity, the MTA’s shift away from certain chemicals could encourage safer cleaning protocols in other public and private sectors, potentially impacting industry standards statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Asthma-Trigger Cleaning Chemicals
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Ban Asthma-Causing Cleaners MTA
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Steven Cymbrowitz
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2400
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to prohibiting the metropolitan transportation authority from using cleaning materials or chemicals which may cause or exacerbate asthma
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. Occupational asthma has become the most prevalent work-related lung disease in developed countries. According to the American Lung Association, ammonia and chlorine are among cleaning solvents and chemical irritants that have been proven asthma triggers. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), asthma rates have gone up 105 percent for females over the past 15 years, compared to about a 41 percent increase for males. Asthma hits the highest in low income neighborhoods with the largest minority population, these are the people who use public transportation the most.
Furthermore, the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says that over the past decade, the prevalence of asthma in both children and adults has increased in the United States. Workplace exposures have been linked to exacerbations of asthma.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, further indicates that while a previous personal or family history of allergies will make a person more likely to develop occupational asthma, many individuals who have no such history still will develop this disease if exposed to conditions that trigger it.
One cause of occupational asthma is known as Direct Irritant Effects. These are irritants that provoke occupational asthma and include hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide or ammonia, which is found in the petroleum or chemical industries. Workers exposed to these substances will frequently begin wheezing and experiencing other asthma symptoms immediately after exposure to the irritant substance. Workers who already
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00218-01-7
S. 2400 2
have asthma or some other respiratory disorder are particularly affected by this type of exposure.
It is therefore, the intent and purpose of the legislature to prevent the use of those cleaning materials and chemicals which may cause persons employed by, or persons using the facilities and equipment of, the metropolitan transportation authority to develop asthma, or to have symptoms of asthma triggered or exacerbated.
§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1279-d to read as follows:
§ 1279-d. Prohibited use of asthma causing chemicals. 1. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the metropolitan transportation authority shall not use for any purpose, including the cleaning and maintenance of its facilities and equipment, cleaning materials or chemicals exposure to which may cause persons to develop the disease of asthma, or which may exacerbate or trigger the symptoms of asthma.
2. A determination of which cleaning materials or chemicals exposure to which may cause persons to develop the disease of asthma, or which may exacerbate or trigger the symptoms of asthma, shall be made by the commissioner of health of the state of New York who shall promulgate a list of such cleaning materials or chemicals and transmit the list to the chairman of the metropolitan transportation authority forthwith.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to prohibiting the metropolitan transportation authority from using cleaning materials or chemicals which may cause or exacerbate asthma
Purpose
This bill would prohibit the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from using cleaning materials identified as asthma triggers. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, further indicates that while a previous personal or family history of allergies will make a person more likely to develop occupational asthma, many individuals who have no such history still will develop this disease if exposed to conditions that trigger it. One cause of occupational asthma is known as Direct Irritant Effects. It is the intent of this legislation to prevent the use of those cleaning materials and chemicals which may cause persons employed by, or persons using the facilities and equipment of, the metropolitan transportation authority to develop asthma, or to have symptoms of asthma triggered or exacerbated.
Justification
Occupational asthma has become the most prevalent work-related lung disease in developed countries. According to the American Lung Association, ammonia and chlorine are among cleaning solvents and chemical irritants that have been proven asthma triggers. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), asthma rates have gone up 105 percent for females over the past 15 years, compared to about a 41 percent increase for males. Asthma hits the highest in low income neighborhoods, with the largest minority population; these are the, people who use public transportation the most.
Furthermore, the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says that over the past decade, the prevalence of asthma in both children and adults has increased in the United States. c
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, further indicates that while a previous personal or family history of allergies will make a person more likely to develop occupational asthma, many individuals who have no such history still will develop this disease if exposed to conditions that trigger it.
One cause of occupational asthma is known as Direct Irritant Effects. These are irritants that provoke occupational asthma and include hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide or ammonia, which is found in the petroleum or chemical industries. Workers exposed to these substances will frequently begin wheezing and experiencing other asthma symptoms immediately after exposure to the irritant substance. Workers who already have asthma or some other respiratory disorder are particularly affected by this type of exposure.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.5305/A.1294 referred to Transportation. 2013-14 A.2167 Referred to Corporation, Authorities, & Commissions. 2011-12 A.4305 Referred to Corporation, Authorities, & Commissions. 2009-10 A.3974 Referred to Corporation, Authorities, & Commissions. 2007-08 A.4986/S.1247 Corporation, Authorities, & Commissions/Transportation.
Fiscal implications
None to the State. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after 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.