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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joyce Bialik, Representative of Solid Waste Advisory Board on Microplastics in Drinking Water
5:43:39
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134 sec
Joyce Bialik, representing the four solid waste advisory boards, testifies about the importance of testing drinking water for microplastics and including funds in the budget for implementation of Intro 692. She emphasizes the health risks associated with microplastics and the need for comprehensive testing to understand their presence in NYC's water supply.
- Microplastics are linked to negative health outcomes including cancer and diabetes, and have been found in various parts of the human body.
- Initial testing by Manhattan SWAB found more microplastics in Queens tap water than in Manhattan's, highlighting the need for further investigation.
- Bialik calls for passing Intro 692 (which has 20 cosponsors) and including funds in the budget for implementing microplastic testing and monitoring in NYC's water supply.
Joyce Bialik
5:43:39
So, I represent the four solid waste advisory boards, and I'm gonna talk about the 2024 council bill known as testing drinking water for the presence of microplastics, intro six ninety two, and concurrently about including funds in the budget for implementation.
5:43:59
Microplastics are known endocrine disruptors and are linked to other negative health outcomes including cancer and diabetes.
5:44:08
They've been found in our air, water, food, soil, blood, brain, and in both sides of the placenta.
5:44:14
That means parent and baby.
5:44:17
It seems that wherever we look for them, we find them.
5:44:21
We know there are microplastics in our drinking water, but we don't know.
5:44:25
We haven't been measuring the amount.
5:44:27
So we don't know how to answer the basic questions.
5:44:31
Are microplastics and our water increasing over time?
5:44:35
Does it vary by location or season?
5:44:38
The Manhattan Swab conducted initial testing in Manhattan and Queens tap water, and we found more in Queens tap water than in Manhattan's.
5:44:48
So the first step of measuring microplastics then allows us to pose questions.
5:44:54
Why?
5:44:54
Why is this the case?
5:44:56
And seek solutions.
5:44:58
In an interview with Gothamist, council member Sandy Nurse, the bill's prime sponsor, said, we're seeing a proliferation of plastics and different types of plastics in everything.
5:45:09
If we find that it's in our water, that to me would allow us then to hold producers accountable.
5:45:15
It could help us create better waste systems.
5:45:19
The current bill, Intro six ninety two, has 20 cosponsors.
5:45:24
Let's bring a microplastic testing bill over the threshold this year and include funds to implement testing and monitoring in the budget.
5:45:33
We owe
5:45:35
Tap water for other contaminants.
5:45:39
Whenever and wherever the city conducts these tests, the city should also test for the presence and level of the microplastic.
5:45:46
And thank you for this opportunity to speak, and thanks for coming back to me.
5:45:50
I couldn't unmute, but thank you.
Zhikang Ling
5:45:33
you Your time's expired.