New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) held a joint hearing today with the Committees on Health; Energy; Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; and Environmental Conservation and the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology on her bill, A.6863-B, which would protect the public against the dangers of radon found in natural gas by requiring gas delivery companies, such as Consolidated Edison, to set up a comprehensive statewide system to monitor and mitigate levels of radon in natural gas.

"Radon is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States after smoking," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "The state has a vital interest in protecting its citizens against known and unknown dangers. We know that there is radon in natural gas, and we must take the appropriate steps to mitigate that. My bill will do just that."

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal’s legislation would require New York State Department of Health to direct gas delivery companies to continuously monitor radon levels in natural gas distribution lines to homes and report those levels on a publicly accessible website. Though there are no safe levels of radon, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set actionable indoor air levels at a maximum of 2 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Using EPA standards as a guide, the bill requires that immediate remedial action be taken, up to and including halting gas distribution, if the radon levels in gas tested meets or exceeds 2 pCi/L.

"This is uncharted territory, for New York, and the whole country," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "With New York set to replace other home heating fuels with natural gas, the potential for radon exposure increases exponentially. We have no system in place to monitor radon in the gas delivered to homes. It is wholly irresponsible to allow for delivery of natural gas without setting up systems to ensure that the gas is safe."

Dr. Kathy Nolan, Regional Director, Catskill Mountainkeeper, "Not enough study has been given to the issue of radon in natural gas being delivered to consumers, and too much reliance has been placed on measurements of radon done under the control of the gas industry and in a manner that does not hold up to scientific scrutiny."

According to Clare Donohue of Sane Energy Project, "For the past three years, the only entity looking at radon levels in NYC's gas supply has been Sane Energy Project, a small grassroots group doing volunteer radon testing. Why are citizens forced to monitor their own kitchen gas? We feel it is imperative that testing, monitoring and mitigation be handled by a credible governmental agency, with accessible, verifiable reporting to ratepayers."

Radon has a half-life of 3.8 days, which is the time it takes for the element to natural decompose. The vast majority of natural gas is a mix, with most coming from Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, allowing the radon in the gas to decompose naturally as it travels to New York. With the potential for shale gas development must closer to home, radon levels in gas have the potential to be much higher at distribution points, because the radon, traveling shorter distances, has less times to naturally decompose.

According to Albert Appleton, former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Adjunct Professor, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, "The original sin of environmental and public health management is to not identify all of the consequences of a proposed action and to address any potential negative impacts before proceeding. In the promotion and expansion of natural gas use from the Marcellus shale gas fields as a household and kitchen fuel for New York City residents, there has been a gross failure by the agencies charged with protecting the public health of New Yorkers putting potentially thousands of New York City residents at risk for greatly increased exposure to lung cancer causing radon gas. The radon management legislation proposed by Manhattan Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal and her colleagues in the Legislature represents an urgently needed response to the negligence and indifference of the State's public health and environmental agencies and has a critical role to play in ensuring the future health and welfare of New York residents."

"Natural gas can be hazardous to human health, and its containment of cancer-causing radon is a primary reason why," said Eric Weltman, Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch, a national consumer watchdog organization. "This legislation is a necessary measure to protect New Yorkers from cancer-causing radon being delivered into their homes and workplaces."

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal represents the 67th Assembly district, which includes the Upper West Side and parts of the Clinton/ Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods in Manhattan.