File #: Res 0622-2004    Version: * Name: Efficiency of air filtration technologies with respect to Local Law 47 of 2002 (The Smoke Free Air Act).
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 10/13/2004
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the appropriate Committee of the Council of the City of New York to hold a hearing on the efficiency of air filtration technologies with respect to Local Law 47 of 2002 (The Smoke Free Air Act) and the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act.
Sponsors: Lewis A. Fidler, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Simcha Felder, Michael C. Nelson, James Sanders, Jr., Kendall Stewart, Tony Avella, Yvette D. Clarke, Erik Martin Dilan, Vincent J. Gentile, Letitia James, Annabel Palma, Larry B. Seabrook, David I. Weprin, Andrew J. Lanza
Council Member Sponsors: 15

Res. No. 622

 

Resolution calling upon the appropriate Committee of the Council of the City of New York to hold a hearing on the efficiency of air filtration technologies with respect to Local Law 47 of 2002 (The Smoke Free Air Act) and the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act.

 

By Council Members Fidler, Comrie, Felder, Nelson, Sanders, Stewart, Avella, Clarke, Dilan, Gentile, James, Palma, Seabrook, Weprin and Lanza

 

Whereas, The Council passed the Smoke Free Air Act (SFAA), which was signed into law by the Mayor on December 30, 2002, with the intent to afford a safe, smoke-free environment for all workers in New York City; and

Whereas, New York State passed the Clean Indoor Air Act, which was intended to provide such an environment for all workers in New York State and became effective on July 24, 2003; and

                     Whereas, Some believe that air filtration technologies were not fully researched as an alternative to the prohibition of smoking in bars, restaurants and other workplaces prior to the passage of the SFAA and the Clean Indoor Air Act; and

Whereas, Experts seem to disagree as to whether air filtration systems are sufficiently effective to provide a safe workplace; and

Whereas, Air filtration systems are designed to remove low level contaminants and odors, such as tobacco smoke, and, in particular, the High Efficiency Gas Absorption (HEGA) media filter is a patent-pending air filtration system which affirms to be 95% effective for specified contaminants, including tobacco smoke; and

                     Whereas, If it is found that air filtration systems are effective in providing a safe work environment, then the SFAA and Clean Indoor Air Act should be amended to allow for certain exceptions to the prohibition of smoking in certain enclosed areas when air filtration systems are established in those areas; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the appropriate Committee of the Council of the City of New York hold a hearing on the efficiency of air filtration technologies with respect to Local Law 47 of 2002 (The Smoke Free Air Act) and the Clean Indoor Air Act.

 

 

CAW

LS# 1668