Two of Long Island's state lawmakers and local breast cancer activists last week joined in pushing for a bill that is targeted at curbing the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in schools.

The measure, known as The Children's Health Incentive Fund, has been introduced by Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli (D-Thomaston) in the Assembly and Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) in the Senate. Aiming to reduce the presence of chemicals that have been implicated in illnesses among children, it offers grants to schools to encourage them to purchase non-toxic pest control products and fertilizers. The bipartisan proposal was announced during a Mineola news conference last Thursday, in which the lawmakers were flanked by Geri Barish, president of 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition.

"This legislation provides for real change in our school environments, making schools a healthier place to work, learn and develop essential life skills," commented Barish. "We applaud Assemblyman DiNapoli and Senator Hannon for once again stepping forward in the fight to protect our future generations." With cancer clusters continuously being discovered throughout Long Island, and chemical pesticides and fertilizers suspected as carcinogens, she added, it is now more important than ever to stop adding potentially hazardous chemicals to the environment.

The Children's Health Incentive Fund would provide a mechanism to reduce chemical exposure in schools through a monetary incentive of up to 90 cents per full-time enrolled student annually per school district for the purchase of the least toxic pest control products and fertilizers available. "While many of the environmentally sensitive products are often more expensive and alternative practices often take more time, it is important for the state to provide the financial assistance to help school personnel move away from the use of harmful chemicals in the buildings where our children learn and on the fields on which they play," commented DiNapoli. He added, "By offering financial help to the 700 plus schools in New York to use safer products and practices, our children, school personnel, and the environment will benefit from reduced exposure to potentially dangerous, toxic, and hazardous chemicals." DiNapoli noted that some schools are already using non-toxic applications, but others are not aware of them, or cannot afford them. Hopefully, he noted, this measure will give districts the financial boost needed to help them get on board.

"I am proud to be co-sponsoring a law that provides incentives to those schools that are pro-active and provides a foundation for new and innovative practices," commented Hannon. He added, "We are all natural partners advocating for laws to protect our children."

Because the measure requires an appropriation of $3 million in state funding, it is currently being held up in committee as part of budget negotiations. "The next step is really seeing that the budget includes this incentive program," said DiNapoli. If approved with this budget, the initiative would be implemented in the new school year beginning in September.

Barish noted that the measure has the support of close to 2000 parents and children who have signed petitions in favor of it. The petitions were gathered, she noted, during the recently held WorldFest at Hofstra University.