Senate Republican Leader John J. Flanagan and Sens. Ken LaValle and Phil Boyle are calling on the state Department of Health and Dr. Howard Zucker, state health commissioner, to immediately implement strict limits on perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate levels in drinking water.

The contaminants — which come from plastics like Teflon pots and pans — can cause cancer, birth defects and serious health problems.

The senators’ call for action comes as the federal Environmental Protection Agency delays its decision to regulate levels of these toxic chemicals in drinking water nationally.

In late 2015, plastic product contaminants were discovered in Hoosick Falls’ water supply, its origin being the local Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant. A 2018 Bennington College surveyof area residents found 31 cases of kidney cancer, 11 cases of testicular cancer, 231 cases of thyroid problems, and numerous other illnesses.

“We cannot take a drip, drop approach when it comes to the health and safety of our residents. The New York State Health Department must act now because we cannot wait another day for action on a federal level or spend anymore time talking about state regulation. The time is now. We will not allow Long Island or any other part of this state to become another Hoosick Falls,” Flanagan said.

PFOA and PFOS have become a major cause for concern on Long Island. The New York Public Interest Research Group recently released a reporton contaminated water across the state using EPA data, and found supplies on Long Island with high levels of PFOA and PFOS levels. Areas include the Suffolk County Water Authority, the Hampton Bays Water District, Town of Hempstead Water District, Water Authority of Western Nassau, Garden City Park Water District, and the Bethpage Water District, among others.