Creates a temporary state pesticide commission to study the effects of the application of pesticides in N.Y. city

• Democratic4

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why José M. Serrano says this is needed

In 1999, the New York City Department of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that there was an outbreak of a mosqui- to borne viral disease known as the West Nile Virus. By September of that year there were 59 confirmed cases throughout the area of New York City, Nassau County and Westchester County, including 7 deaths. To combat the spread of this virus, the New York City Mayor's Office of Emergency Management coordinated efforts to eradicate adult mosquitos through citywide aerial and ground application of Malathion and the pyrethroid-based insecticides resmethrmn and sumethrin. Although immedi- ate action was required to prevent the spread of this virus, the health hazards posed to residents of infected areas was not studied. In 2001, many of the truck drivers who sprayed the pesticides reported being sickened by the pesticides and many New York City residents reported respiratory problems due to the pesticide spraying. The outbreak of the West Nile Virus in the New York City metropolitan area represented the first time this virus had been detected in the Western Hemisphere. To allow the State of New York and its localities to be prepared for possible future outbreak of the West Nile Virus or a simi- lar virus we must understand. the health effects posed by the spread of pesticide on the residents of the State. The creation of a temporary state commission to study and make recommendation concerning the appli- cation of pesticides will, assist the state in properly combating the virus without further harming the health of our constituents.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.