Legislation Put Forward to Help Clean Long Island's Water

Spurred on by recent reports, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat from Long Beach, put forward a bill that would require the state's Department of Health to study and regulate a probably carcinogen that has been found in high quantities in Long Island's water supply.

The chemical, known as 1,4-dioxane, is a synthetic chemical that is found in many products and in areas across the United States. According to the EPA, it is often used to stabilize solvents in the ground, is a byproduct of textile production, is used as a purifier in the production of pharmaceuticals, and is a byproduct of manufacturing certain types of plastic.

According to the EPA, 1,4-dioxane is "likely carcinogenic in humans." Prolonged exposure to a purer form of the chemical can also cause skin, kidney and liver damage.

The issue first came to light after a report by Newsday and News 12, which revealed that the chemical is found in the highest concentrations in the county on Long Island. There is no state-approved method for removing the chemical from water, although Suffolk County is working on a pilot program.

"Water is our most precious resource, and we must ensure that all New Yorkers have access to clean, safe drinking water," said Kaminsky. "That's why I put forth legislation to direct the state’s health commissioner to immediately conduct a comprehensive health review of 1,4-Dioxane in our water and set a specific limit for this dangerous chemical. When we find out that the water we take for granted every day contains chemicals that may cause cancer, we must act without hesitation."

Kaminsky's bill would require the head of the Department of Health to start studying the chemical and its effects. The EPA currently does not have a specific safety standard for 1,4-dioxane.

According to the Water Authority of Western Nassau County -- which services Bellerose, Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor, South Floral Park, Elmont, New Hyde Park and Floral Park Centre, as well as portions of Garden City, Valley Stream, Franklin Square and North Valley Stream -- the water is safe to drink and is within the state's standards. "Although the EPA has not set a standard for 1,4-dioxane, New York State has established a standard of 50 parts per billion for any unregulated organic chemical, including 1,4-dioxane," the authority said in a release. "The Water Authority's highest detection of 1,4-dioxane is 12 parts per billion at one location, well below the standard. The remainder of the results range for no detection to 0.84 parts per billion.

"The Water Authority customers can rest assured that the public water that flows from their faucets is one of the most highly regulated supplies in the United States and is safe to drink," the added.

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