On July 01, 2018, Dr. Landrigan commented on the health risks of lead in NYT Article “820 Children Under 6 in Public Housing Tested High for Lead”. The New York City Housing Authority didn’t disclose the exact number of children residing in public housing poisoned by lead and over the weekend, the city department of health offered a number. The city department of health said that 820 children younger than 6 were found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood between 2012 and 2016. The children tested positive for lead levels of 5 to 9 micrograms per deciliter, the minimum amount for which the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that localities intervene. Dr. Philip Landrigan, said new research has shown that lead is toxic even at low levels. “The city is responding to new information,” Dr. Landrigan said. “I think the city is trying to do the right thing here.” To read the full article click here.
Dr. Galvez featured in Metropolis Article on How Architects Can Help Make the Built Environment Healthier
On March 1, Metropolis’s director of design innovation, Susan S. Szenasy, led a talk at CookFox’s New York office that gathered experts in the seemingly disparate fields of public health, commercial real estate, and sustainable architecture to discuss how architects can help make the built environment healthier. Dr. Maida Galvez, CEC Co-Director, was part of the panel and she emphasized that “chronic health conditions are rooted in built spaces.” Dr. Galvez suggested that practical design solutions can be found to address problems such as low-level lead exposure and toxic stress. These health hazards are often detected only when it’s too late, and for that reason, preventive strategies should be the shared aim of architects and their collaborators in health-related fields. To read the full Metropolis article click here.
Dr. Robert Wright Appointed as Council Member of the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council (NAEHSC)
Dr. Robert Wright as been appointed as a council member of the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council (NAEHSC). The NAEHSC is a Congressionally mandated body that advises the secretary of Health and Human Services, the director of the National Institute of Health, and the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) on matters relating to the direction of research, research support, training, and career development supported by the NIEHS. An important function of the council is secondary review of research grant applications with a focus on NIEHS scientific program priorities and program balance. Dr. Wright participated in the last NAEHSC meeting on June 4-5. Learn more about the last meeting here.
Dr. Sarah Evans Featured on Health Daily article “Unhealthy Phthalate Chemicals Found in Restaurant Food”
Dr. Sarah Evans weighs in on a recent study that showed higher levels of phthalates in people who dined out more often. In the Health Daily article, Dr. Evans emphasized that eating more home-cooked meals could help limit phthalate exposure– but people need to be mindful of the foods they choose.That’s because phthalates can lurk in the processed, packaged foods sold at grocery stores, too. “The best way to reduce exposure is to eat whole, fresh foods at home as often as possible,” said Evans, who was not involved in the study. “Phthalates have been shown to accumulate in high-fat foods, so limiting consumption of those items may be effective at reducing exposure.” To read the full Health Daily article click here.
Listen to NIEHS Podcast series where Drs. Robert Wright and Homero Harari discuss the health risks of Crumbrubber
In this NIEHS podcast, Drs. Robert Wright and Homera Harari discuss the health risks of crumb rubber in playgrounds, and what you can do to reduce children’s exposure to potentially harmful contaminants. To listen to the podcast click here.
Dr. Landrigan Weighs on Study about US deaths from lead exposure 10 times higher than thought
On March 12th, Dr. Landrigan was featured on CNN Article “US Deaths from Lead Exposure 10 times Higher than that, study suggests.” Dr. Landrigan added “The literature has been showing for many years that lead causes hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. “This study now shows that the cardiovascular toxicity of lead extends down to lower levels than were previously examined.” To read the full CNN article click here.
Dr. Landrigan Interviewed By Living on Earth about new book “Children and Environmental Toxins”
In this interview with Living on Earth host Steve Curwood, Pediatrician Philip J. Landrigan MD connects the dots between exposure to environmental toxins and disease and shares strategies parents and child advocates can use to keep kids safe in a world filled with pollution and thousands of chemicals. Dr. Landrigan warns the vast majority of toxic chemicals have not been appropriately tested for impacts to children’s health. To read the full interview click here.
Dr. Allan Just presents on Epigenetics as part of the 20 Pioneers Under 40 in Environmental Public Health Webinar Series
On February 6th, Dr. Allan Just, presented on “Using Molecular Epidemiology to Understand Chemical Threats to Early-Life Children’s Health” as part of the 20 Pioneers Under 40 in Environmental Public Health Webinar Series. Dr. Just discussed why DNA methylation may be a useful biomarker to reconstruct complex environmental exposures and link these to subsequent health outcomes. He also discussed the many challenges of measuring, analyzing, and interpreting this new type of big data for environmental studies. To watch the webinar click here.
Dr. Luz Claudio Featured on Time Article “Can Indoor Plants Really Purify the Air”
On January 17th, Dr. Luz Claudio weighed in on whether indoor plants can help with indoor air quality in Time Magazine. “There are no definitive studies to show that having indoor plants can significantly increase the air quality in the home to improve health in a measurable way,” says Luz Claudio, a professor of environmental medicine and public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Claudio has reviewed the research on the air-quality benefits of indoor plants. She says there’s no question that plants are capable of removing volatile chemical toxins from the air “under laboratory conditions.” But in the real world—in your home, say, or in your office space—the notion that incorporating a few plants can purify your air doesn’t have much hard science to back it up. To read the full Time article click here.
Dr. Shanna Swan Provides Insight on Study about Acetaminophen in Pregnancy tied to Language Delays
On Janaury 10th, Dr. Shanna Swan was featured in Health Day to provide insight on study that found toddlers whose mothers used acetaminophen early in pregnancy may have a heightened risk of language delays. According to Shanna Swan, the senior researcher on the study, “There really is no good alternative to acetaminophen.” Yet evidence is growing that there can be risks from taking the drug during pregnancy, especially more than occasionally, Swan said. To read the full Health Day article click here.