Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer and Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito held a press conference out about 1,4-dioxane contamination of Long Island’s drinking water and held a major public hearing for residents to learn of the harmful health effects of exposure to the chemical on Monday, July 29, 2019 at 11:30 AM at Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola. The dangerous chemical is found in household cleaning products like detergents, shampoos, and soaps, and cosmetics.
Short term exposure to 1,4-dioxane can be mild, such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, but long-term health impacts include kidney and liver damage, nervous system damage, even death in extreme circumstances. A 2019 survey found that Long Island’s levels are among the highest contamination levels in the state, far exceeding the national average, especially near industrial sites where the chemical was used or created and dumped.
Legislator Schaefer Offered the following:
"Yesterday, as Chairwoman to the Legislature's Planning, Development and the environment committee I held a press conference and hearing to bring awareness to the chemical 1,4 Dioxane found in our drinking water. Studies show that this chemical, created as a byproduct of producing things like detergent and shampoo can possibly be harmful to our health. I urge the Governor to sign the bill already passed by the state legislature regulating 1,4 dioxane, and to give local water districts the time and resources they need to begin to remove this chemical from our water."