CAPE MAY – The City Council has introduced an ordinance to better control plastic dust and contaminants at contractor worksites. The council acted on the same day Avalon successfully introduced a similar ordinance.

Awareness of the health and environmental dangers posed by plastic contaminants is leading Cape May County towns with high levels of demolition or construction activity to seek ways to limit exposure.

The Cape May ordinance, introduced Jan. 22, requires that, when cutting or drilling of materials on a list of potential contaminants must be done at a work site, a vacuum attachment must be used on all saws when practical.

The ordinance also details where and how such cutting or drilling can take place, along with regulations for cleanup of the workspace and for appropriate disposal of materials.

A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for the council meeting on Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. in City Hall. The hearing may be followed by a vote on adoption of the ordinance.

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.