Debra Coyle

It's unclear exactly how many school gymnasium floors in New Jersey have the potential to emit toxic mercury vapor over time, or are already doing so. But the state can be sure of one thing now: no future Schools Development Authority projects will include floors that contain a mercury catalyst, which can lead to harmful effects on humans and has already been recognized in several New Jersey instances. The SDA, which funds and manages construction and renovation of schools in 31 New Jersey districts, announced it will be requiring an additional certification from manufacturers of rubberized and/or urethane floors that can guarantee the product is free of any mercury catalyst during manufacturing and installation. Read more at nj1015.com.

Thanks to the work of Healthy Schools Now, New Jersey Education Association, Mom's Clean Airforce and WEC, US Senator Cory Booker is calling for an investigation into potentially hazardous emissions from flooring that has been widely installed in public spaces across the country since the 1960s. Some synthetic rubberized floors found in schools, hospitals, and community centers were made using a substance, phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA), that may release mercury vapor into the air as they deteriorate. This colorless, odorless vapor can damage the central nervous system, kidneys, lungs, skin and eyes and is especially harmful to young children and fetuses whose bodies are still developing. Studies show that children with autism have an even harder time excreting toxic metals, further increasing the health risk. Recently, several of these contaminated floors were identified in Gloucester County and are being removed and replaced this summer. It is currently unknown as to how many of these floors exist and how many people are being exposed. "Too many schools in New Jersey have rubberized floors that may contain mercury, potentially exposing school staff and children to this neurotoxin,” said Heather L. Sorge, Campaign Organizer for Healthy Schools Now, New Jersey Work Environment Council. [...]

Bravo New Jersey for leading the nation in offshore wind development. Today the Board of Public Utilities announced the winner of the country's largest offshore wind project. Orsted will be building the 1,100MW project, called OceanWind, which will bring clean energy to approximately 500,000 homes. Thank you to Governor Murphy for his vision and commitment to clean energy. Offshore wind development has obvious clean energy benefits and also promises to bring good, family-sustaining jobs to the state. These are skilled, well-paying jobs include construction, maintenance, operations, ports, and supply chain, more than 74 occupations in total, that cannot be outsourced. With this announcement today, and an aggressive solicitation schedule for the next 2,400 MW, New Jersey is well positioned to become a regional offshore wind clean energy and economic powerhouse.

The threat of a catastrophic chemical release remains a major vulnerability for New Jersey.  Every year, chemical releases, fires, and explosions claim lives and threaten residents’ health across the nation.  New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country, nestled between New York City and Philadelphia, and has one of the highest ratios of toxic facilities per square mile in the nation. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported from the chlorine fire at the Alden Leeds facility in South Kearny. Alden leads manufactures pool chemicals including chlorine tablets. The Pulaski Skyway was shut down in both directions and residents as far away as Staten Island were alerted to stay inside. The core of WEC's work is to advocate for stronger state and national chemical security policies such as switching to safer alternatives and implementing inherently safer technologies as a way to eliminate or reduce the hazard from toxic chemicals.