BILL NUMBER: S8702
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the sale of any children's product, upholstered furniture or
mattress that contains textile fiberglass
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this legislation stipulates that.no person or manufacturer
can sell or distribute in commerce any new juvenile products, mattress-
es, or upholstered furniture which contain fiber glass and that a custom
upholsterer cannot repair, reupholster, recover, restore, or renew any
juvenile products, mattresses, upholstered furniture, reupholstered
furniture using fiberglass.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Over the past decade there has been a growing concern over the health
risks that are associated with interaction and or exposure to textile
fiberglass. Textile fiberglass has been linked to a variety of health
and environmental risks. Fiberglass is commonly used as a cheap fire
retardant in juvenile products, mattresses, and upholstered furniture.
The use of these materials has raised serious concerns due to their
toxicity and the long-lasting effects in the environment it is exposed
to. The textile fiberglass poses risks during handling, repair, or
reupholstery especially in unregulated environments.
This legislation follows suit with ongoing national and state efforts to
reduce hazardous chemicals in consumer products, especially those used
by children and other vulnerable consumers. California and the European
Union have recognized the dangers of fiberglass in juvenile products,
mattresses, and upholstered furniture and banned the sale of these
products that contain fiberglass. By following suit and prohibiting the
sale of these products that contain fiberglass, we will help promote
public health, better environmental practices, and a safer New York for
all New Yorkers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None,
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8702: 37-1001 environmental conservation law, 37-1003 environmental conservation law