Res. No. 241
Resolution calling on the New York State Department of State to promulgate standards and rules concerning the sanitization of mattresses that include requirements sufficient to eradicate bedbugs in reconditioned mattresses before their sale.
By Council Members Brewer, Chin, Ferreras, Fidler, Gentile, Gonzalez, Koppell, Koslowitz, Lander, Mendez, Palma, Recchia, Vann, Nelson and Rodriguez
Whereas, Also known as Cimex lectuarius, the bed bug is a wingless blood-feeding parasite that preys on humans and other animals, and can dwell within such objects as clothing, furniture and bedding; and
Whereas, Bed bugs, which are immune to most standard-issue pesticides, often feed on humans during the night by piercing their skin while they sleep; and
Whereas, The average female bed bug can lay up to five eggs a day, which take only 17 to 28 days to hatch and which are impervious to the stronger pyrethrin pesticides until they are born; and
Whereas, Methods for eliminating bed bugs include such costly options as replacing the exterior of a mattress with untainted material, baking a mattress at 150°F for forty-five minutes, and treating a mattress in a fumigation chamber; and
Whereas, In 2009, 311 fielded 33,772 calls concerning bed bugs, a 54 percent increase from the previous year; and
Whereas, Two-hundred forty-three New York City public schools were treated for bed bugs in Fiscal Year 2009, a 100 percent increase from the previous fiscal year; and
Whereas, Though bed bugs are not known for spreading disease, they are associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue, and in some cases can cause dermal inflammations and infections as well as anemia; and
Whereas, The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs estimates that approximately half of the 261 second-hand bedding dealers registered in New York State are licensed to operate in New York City; and
Whereas, Laws governing the sale, registration and sanitization of used bedding fall under the purview of the New York State Department of State ("NYSDOS"); and
Whereas, Article 25-A of the New York State General Business Law ("Article 25-A") requires that every person engaged in the sale of used bedding file a notice with the NYSDOS that affirms that it has sanitized the bedding in accordance with standards established in regulation by the NYSDOS in consultation with the New York State Department of Health ("NYSDOH"); and
Whereas, Despite being enacted over a decade ago, the rules concerning the standards for adequate sanitization of bedding have not yet been promulgated pursuant to Article 25-A; and
Whereas, In order for persons and businesses engaged in the resale of bedding in New York State to be prevented from endangering the health and safety of New Yorkers, it is imperative that the NYSDOS and the NYSDOH establish clear standards concerning the sanitization of mattresses; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Department of State to promulgate standards and rules concerning the sanitization of mattresses that include requirements sufficient to eradicate bedbugs in reconditioned mattresses before their sale.
DMB
5/17/10
LS# 1229
Res1414/2008