What's happening
This bill bans the MTA from using cleaning chemicals that can cause or worsen asthma, as determined by the state health commissioner.
Why it matters
Targets both transit riders and MTA workers. By banning asthma-triggering cleaning chemicals, the bill aims to protect not just employees but also the predominantly low-income, minority communities that rely on public transit and are already at higher risk for asthma.
Mandates scientific oversight. The law requires the state health commissioner, not the MTA or non-experts, to determine and update the list of banned chemicals, ensuring decisions are based on medical evidence and current science.
Acknowledges occupational health risks. The bill recognizes that occupational asthma is a significant and growing problem, and that public transportation environments can be a source of dangerous exposures—especially for those with no previous history of asthma.
Could drive changes in cleaning practices. The MTA will need to find and implement alternative cleaning products, potentially increasing operational costs or requiring new training, but with the public health benefit of reducing asthma triggers in heavily used spaces.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Asthma-Triggering Cleaners
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
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
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3461
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CYMBROWITZ, ABBATE, COLTON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
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.
LBD07405-01-9
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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-e to read as follows:
§ 1279-e. 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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.