Bill > S06478

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for defining and setting Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for emerging contaminants in drinking water by the New York State Commissioner of Health. The bill defines an MCLG as the maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse health effects would occur, providing an adequate margin of safety and serving as a non-enforceable health goal. The commissioner is required to establish MCLGs for each emerging contaminant, taking into account sensitive sub-populations like infants, children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. For microbial contaminants that may pose a public health risk, the MCLG will be set at zero. For chemical contaminants, the approach varies: carcinogenic chemicals without a safe dose will have an MCLG of zero, while carcinogenic chemicals with a determinable safe dose will have an MCLG set at that safe level. For non-carcinogenic chemicals, the MCLG will be based on a reference dose, which is the estimated daily exposure that is not anticipated to cause adverse health effects over a lifetime. The bill also requires the Public Health Council to review emerging contaminants and recommend MCLGs alongside Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) when appropriate.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6478