The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, or NYS DEC, is establishing a program to disclose the chemicals used in household and industrial cleaning products.
Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso, a member of the state Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee and self-described environmentalist, said he is pleased that with the news.
“I am concerned about the chemicals we use in our homes which end up in our water supply,” Assemblyman D’Urso said. “By using the listings provided by this program, people will be able to make better choices and help keep harmful chemicals out of their homes and the environment.”
This will be the first program of its kind in the nation providing consumers information about the contents of their cleaning products.
NYS DEC is currently working with the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse to develop and maintain a database of the disclosure information. Known as the Household Cleaning Product Disclosure Program, it was developed after lengthy discussions with many groups including industry, state agencies, advocacy groups and private citizens. Manufacturers of cleaning products will be required to disclose known carcinogens such as 1,4 Dioxane among other chemicals.
“This will address consumers’ concerns about the safety of the products they buy,” D’Urso said.
