Assembly Bill A8912

                                BILL NUMBER:A8912

TITLE  OF BILL:  An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
indoor air quality in ice skating rinks

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:  This bill promotes public health  by
requiring   Sanitary   Code   regulations  for  safe  and  appropriate
operation, maintenance and monitoring  of  ice  resurfacing  equipment
using internal combustion engines.

SUMMARY  OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:  Bill §1 adds a new subdivision 13 of
§225 of the Public  Health  Law,  providing  that  the  Public  Health
Council  (PHC)  shall amend the State Sanitary Code to ensure safe and
appropriate indoor air quality in ice skating rinks. Specifically, the
PSC shall establish regulations providing  that  all  ice  resurfacing
equipment  powered by combustible fuels which produce carbon monoxide,
nitrogen dioxide and/or particulate matter  shall  be  maintained  and
operated to ensure acceptable air quality.

The  regulations  shall  specify levels of air contaminants that would
require:

-notification to appropriate state and/or local officials;
-implementation of remedial measures to protect public health; or
-immediate evacuation of the rink.

              

The regulations shall also specify procedures for safe  operation  and
maintenance   of  ice  resurfacing  equipment,  adequate  ventilation,
sampling and monitoring of indoor air quality, and  other  appropriate
measures to protect life and health.

EFFECTS  OF  PRESENT  LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER:  New York State
currently has no statutory  or  regulatory  provisions  applicable  to
protecting skaters in enclosed rinks from unsafe concentrations of air
contaminants.

JUSTIFICATION:    The  use of internal-combustion engines to power ice
resurfacing equipment can under certain circumstances  pose  a  health
hazard.  If  the  catalytic  converters  are  not properly maintained,
ventilation is inadequate and emissions are not monitored, the  result
can  be  a  buildup  in  an enclosed rink of carbon monoxide, nitrogen
dioxide and particulates. Numerous  cases  have  been  reported  where
groups of skaters have been taken to emergency rooms after exposure to
excessive levels of such air contaminants.

The  popularity  of  ice  hockey and skating means that many young New
Yorkers are spending substantial amounts of time in indoor ice  rinks,
and  are  at  risk  of  adverse  health effects from poorly maintained
equipment. These  concerns  have  led  the  States  of  Massachusetts,
Minnesota  and  Rhode Island to regulate the air quality at indoor ice
rinks. This bill would charge the Public Health Council with  amending
the  Sanitary  Code  to ensure that rinks in New York also maintain an
acceptable level of indoor air quality.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:  Minimal.


EFFECTIVE DATE:   180th day  after  having  become  a  law;  provided,
however,  that  the Public Health Council and the Department of Health
are immediately  authorized  and  directed  to  promulgate  rules  and
regulations  and take any other actions necessary to implement the act
on such date.