To the Editor:

If you finish that New York strip but have no room left for the sides, politely refuse the doggy bag.  Unless it’s cardboard, aluminum, or paper, that is.

On March 13, a majority of the Albany County Legislature denied the risks it was passing on to constituents when officials voted against Local Law “S.” By this action, the lawmakers will continue to allow restaurants with fewer than 15 locations to store foods in Stryofoam for takeout. This decision was made in spite of very strong citizen support for what many considered to be a sound public health law.

In 2014, the National Research Council reported that styrene is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” This toxin can migrate from polystyrene into food and beverages when they are hot or when the food is acidic or fatty. Children and older people are particularly susceptible.

Polystyrene (Styrofoam) does not biodegrade. It can stay in our landfills and sewers for hundreds of years. This translates to increased taxes over time. With the Albany County landfill’s anticipated closure in 2022, hauling fees will have to be levied to cart the waste away.

When the hard white foam breaks into tiny, almost invisible pieces, it can clog sewer filtration systems and find its way into fish that end up on someone’s plate for Friday night’s dinner at the local eatery.

In 2013, Albany County wisely did pass a law to prohibit Styrofoam takeout packaging in restaurants with 15 or more locations. Despite the recent local failure to expand that ban, many municipalities across the United States have chosen to protect their citizens. Among them are Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; Seattle; and Miami.

But, the extensive scientific research and in-depth studies presented over these last few months fell on too many deaf ears. Twenty-one of our county representatives seemed to march in lockstep with the current United States president’s orientation.  “Don’t confuse me with the facts — especially if they’re science based.”

This is most unfortunate. March 13 was a clear opportunity to put public health over private profit.    

Betty Head

Altamont