Margate green team in Trenton.
Construction Pollution Prevention Bill Advances in New Jersey Senate.
The bill is sponsored by Senator John F. McKeon and would require contractors to use simple containment measures to prevent dust, debris, microplastics, and other pollutants from escaping construction sites.
Testifying in support of the legislation were Steve Jasiecki, Chair of the Margate Green Team; Sherri Lilienfeld, chemical engineer and environmental advocate; Brian Thompson, former NBC reporter and member of the Monmouth Beach Environmental Commission; and Dr. Phoebe Stapleton of Rutgers University and the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI).
The testimony highlighted growing concerns about pollutants generated during routine construction activities, including microplastics from PVC, vinyl siding, and composite decking; silica dust from cutting concrete and pavers; and fiberglass particles from insulation and composite building materials.
A bill aimed at reducing construction-related pollution and protecting worker and public health took an important step forward this week when the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted 2-1 to release Senate Bill S4058, the “Construction Containment and Pollution Prevention Act,” for further consideration.
Dr. Stapleton presented Rutgers research demonstrating that cutting polycarbonate and other plastic-based construction materials can generate both microplastics and nanoplastics that can become airborne and enter the environment.
Researchers are increasingly concerned about the presence of these particles in human blood, lungs, the placenta, and other organs.
Supporters emphasized that the bill’s requirements are both practical and affordable. Common containment tools such as tarps, shop vacuums, wet-cutting methods, and saw hoods are readily available and often already owned by contractors.
These measures not only help prevent pollution but also protect workers from harmful exposures, reduce cleanup time, and minimize complaints from neighboring property owners.
The bill builds upon momentum at the local level, where numerous New Jersey municipalities have already adopted similar construction containment ordinances. It now advances to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration.
