In June, the New York State Legislature passed two of the most significant environmental bills in recent memory. The two bills, Senate Bill S439A and Senate Bill S6599, will affect New York State residents, property owners, developers, businesses, local governments, and other entities and institutions in the state in large and small ways.

PFAS

The chemicals perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are fluorinated organic chemicals that are part of a larger group of man-made substances called PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals. Resistant to water, grease, and stains, PFOS and PFOA were widely incorporated in carpets, clothing, furniture fabric, food packaging, and firefighting foam used at airfields. They have been found in water supplies across the state, as I have previously discussed in these pages. See Charlotte A. Biblow, “Addressing Concerns Over Chemicals in Drinking Water,” NYLJ Sept. 22, 2016, and “State’s Battle Against Firefighting Foam Intensifies,” NYLJ July 26, 2018.