Res. No. 1898
Resolution calling upon the state legislature to pass and the Governor to sign Senate bill S. 4921 and Assembly bill A.6863 that relate to the protection of public health from radon in natural gas.
By Council Members Levin, Jackson, Barron, Comrie, Eugene, James, Mendez, Rose, Wills, Rodriguez and Brewer
Whereas, Radon is a colorless and odorless naturally occurring radioactive gas, the long-term exposure to which is known to cause lung cancer in humans; and
Whereas, Hydraulic fracturing is a method of extracting natural gas from deep shale formation such as the Marcellus Shale, which underlies a vast section of New York and some surrounding states; and
Whereas, Shale formations can be associated with high levels of radon gas; and
Whereas, When natural gas is extracted from shale formations via hydraulic fracturing, radon gas can be intermixed with the natural gas; and
Whereas, Radon has a half-life of 3.8 days, decaying through a series fo steps during which alpha radiation is released; and
Whereas, Historically, natural gas coming to New York City has travelled from distant location such as the Gulf Coast, allowing additional time for any radon in the gas to decay prior to entering homes; and
Whereas, With increasing amounts of hydraulic fracturing occurring in the Northeastern United States, potentially including in New York States, the natural gas and any radon it contains, may travel shorter distances to get to New York City, which allow less time for the radon to decay; and
Whereas, Radon could enter homes when people cook with natural gas; and
Whereas, If radon did enter homes, and if it didn't disperse through ventilation or other means, it could accumulate and expose pe9ople to health risks; and
Whereas, Radon levels in natural gas can be monitored in natural gas pipes prior to distribution in homes; and
Whereas, Senate bill S. 4921 and Assembly bill A. 6863 require local distribution entities to undertake continuous monitoring of natural gas for radon, disclose monitoring results to the public, take mitigation measures if radon or radon progeny levels crossed any of several different thresholds, in order to reduce those levels to below such thresholds; and
Whereas, Such actions would be sufficient to protect the public health from any potential impacts from radon in natural gas; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the state le state legislature to pass and the Governor to sign Senate bill S. 4921 and Assembly bill A.6863 that relate to the protection of public health from radon in natural gas.