Bill Text: NJ AR39 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges EPA to install air quality monitors in Elmwood Park schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [AR39 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR39-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CONNIE WAGNER
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges EPA to install air quality monitors in Elmwood Park schools.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Environmental Protection Agency to install air quality monitors in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, schools.
Whereas, The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a plan to monitor outdoor air quality near schools across the country to ensure that children are not being exposed to toxic pollution from nearby industrial facilities; and
Whereas, Health experts contend that poor air quality harms tens of millions of people across the country and that air pollution can affect children more radically than adults, since children breathe more air per pound and their bodies are still growing and developing; and
Whereas, Air pollutants can cause such health effects as brain damage, asthma, lowered heart and lung efficiency, increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, birth defects, and cancer; and
Whereas, It has been reported that more than 50 companies located in the northern region of New Jersey pump half a million pounds of toxic chemicals into the air every year and several have been cited for violating environmental emissions standards in recent years; and
Whereas, Several Elmwood Park schools are located within blocks of a major industrial facility and should be monitored through the EPA program to ensure that the students are not being exposed to toxic pollution that may adversely affect their health; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency to install air quality monitors in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, schools to ensure that the students are not being exposed to toxic pollution that may adversely affect their health.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Region II Administrator of that agency, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States House of Representatives, every member of Congress elected from this State, and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
STATEMENT
This resolution respectfully urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to install air quality monitors in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, schools.
The EPA has announced a plan to monitor outdoor air quality near schools across the country to ensure that children are not being exposed to toxic pollution from nearby industrial facilities. Health experts contend that air pollution can affect children more radically than adults, since children breathe more air per pound and their bodies are still growing and developing. Air pollutants can cause such health effects as brain damage, asthma, lowered heart and lung efficiency, increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, birth defects, and cancer.
It has been reported that more than 50 companies located in the northern region of New Jersey pump half a million pounds of toxic chemicals into the air every year and several have been cited for violating those standards within the past five years. Several Elmwood Park schools are located within blocks of a major industrial facility and should be monitored through the EPA program to ensure that the students are not being exposed to toxic pollution that may adversely affect their health.
