Our CEC has strong ties with clinical partners, both locally and nationally. We are able to translate emerging science in the field of environmental health into hands-on workshops and trainings for front-line clinicians. We are pleased to collaborate with the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Children’s Aid Society, among other partners, on our clinical initiatives.
Tooth-Biomarker Research Displayed at Taste of Science Annual Fair
The Mount Sinai Institute for Exposomic Research participated in the Taste of Science New York annual Science Fair on Sunday, April 22nd, 2018 lending baby teeth specimen from the Lautenberg Lab to be viewed through a digital microscope. The science fair featured scientists from other Mount Sinai departments as well, including Psychology and Neurology. Each participating scientist exhibited at a table, some showcasing DNA extraction methods for strawberries, 3-D printing of biomedical ligament replacements, and more. The fair took place at the Bronx Brewery and is part of a week-long festival, celebrating science and was aimed towards other scientists and the general public.
The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health: Dr. Philip Landrigan
The Commission on Pollution and Health is an initiative of The Lancet, the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with additional coordination and input from United Nations Environment, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Bank. The Commission and Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, co-leader of the commission, comprises many of the world’s most influential leaders, researchers and practitioners in the fields of pollution management, environmental health and sustainable development. The aim of the Commission is to reduce air, soil and water pollution by communicating the extraordinary health and economic costs of pollution globally, providing actionable solutions to policy-makers and dispelling the myth of pollution’s inevitability. The Commission Report was published in The Lancet, one of the world’s most prestigious and widely read medical journals, on Oct. 19, 2017 and a presentation on the findings was hosted by the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine on Oct. 23rd, 2017.
Climate Change and Human Health: Dr. Robert Wright
There is increasing evidence that climate change plays a role in human health. Global increases in temperature affect everyone, but can be of greater harm to certain populations than others, for example, the very old, very young, the poor, and those with pre-existing conditions. Robert O. Wright, MD, P30 Center Director, presented some of the evidence and possible consequences of climate change on health in his talk “Climate Risks, Health Risks” at the Aspen Ideas Festival in June 2017. In his talk, Dr. Wright described examples of direct and indirect effects on health. Listen to Dr. Wright’s talk here
“Prenatal particulate matter exposure and wheeze in Mexican children: Effect modification by prenatal psychosocial stress” AudioSlides Presentation
On July 27th, P30 Center Members (Alan Just, Itai Kloog, Alison Lee, Sonali Bose, Mathilda Chiu, Hsiao-Hsien Leon Hsu, Robert Wright, and Rosalind J. Wright) created an AutoSlides presentation highlighting their recently published paper “Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.” The study looks at how air pollution exposure in childhood is associated with greater incidence and exacerbation of asthma, particularly in children whose parents report high levels of psychological stress. To access the published paper click here.
Dr. Shanna Swan Discusses “Chemicals Reduce Sperm Counts” in Living on Earth
On March 31, 2017, Dr. Shanna Swan discussed with Living on Earth Host, Steve Curwood, the implications of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Mounting evidence suggests there is a link between endocrine disrupting chemicals and the continuing decline in male fertility and reproductive health in different countries around the world. Dr. Swan explains how she thinks that it’s pretty certain that semen quality is going down in the United States. She personally has been involved in several of the US studies showing evidence that male reproductive health, not just semen quality, is in trouble, and this has consequences, not just for the ability to have a child, but it also impacts the health of the man. To listen to the podcast click here.
This December, P30 Center Member, Dr. Philip Landrigan, presented on the UMASS Lowell Webinar Series: “Links Between Cancer and Early Life Exposure to Environmental Pollutants.” In this webinar, presenters reviewed the state of the science on the contribution of environmental exposures in early life to cancer, and reflect on its implications for clinical practice and engagement of health professionals in policy change. A special focus of the webinar is on air pollution. To check out Dr. Landrigan’s presentation click here.
Dr. Shanna Swan Presents on “Acetaminophen and Phthalates: Anti-androgenic Action and Altered Development”
This December, P30 Center Member, Dr. Shanna Swan, presented on “Prenatal Exposure to Acetaminophen and Phthalates: Alterations in Sexually Dimorphic Development” in the monthly teleconference series by the Collaborative on Health and the Environment’s EDC Strategies Partnership. On this call, Dr. Shanna Swan described her recent work, together with Carl Gustaf Bornehag, PI of the large Swedish cohort (SELMA), on first trimester exposure to APAP and phthalates in relation to language development at 30 months of age in two pregnancy cohorts. To watch and listen to the presentation click here.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Fest
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) brought together researchers, trainees, young investigators, community partners, and stakeholders from across the United States to discuss past accomplishments and explore the future of environmental health science in the 21st century. P30 Center Director, Dr. Robert Wright, presented on the research and community engagement the Mount Sinai Transdisciplinary Center for Environmental Exposures has been working on.
Investing in a Robust Environmental Health System
American Public Health Association and the National Environmental Health Partnership Council collaborated to present in November, Investing in a Robust Environmental Health System (PDF), a guide to environmental health for the next Presidential Administration. Dr. Galvez, P30 Center Co-Director, is part of the National Environmental Health Partnership Council, a group of diverse stakeholders, that created this document and offered recommendations on how the federal government can help build an effective and strong environmental health system.
The History of Metal Toxicity in Children and a Glimpse Into the Future
This November, P30 Center Director, Dr. Robert Wright, presented “The History of Metal Toxicity in Children Into the Future” at NIEHS’s “Research Highlights Through the Decades” event in Washington D.C. Dr. Wright’s presentation was perfectly geared to show the amazing science being supported through NIEHS and how it translates to prevention, public health advancements and safe products.
Regional Meeting Focuses on Drinking Water
This June, representatives from Region 2 PEHSU, EPA, and ATSDR gathered to discuss environmental health concerns in the region, focusing on contaminants in drinking water, such as lead. Current efforts underway to test for lead hazards in schools, day cares, and other settings were covered. Drs. Maida Galvez, Perry Sheffield, Lauren Zajac, and Cappy Collins from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai and Region 2 PEHSU participated in the discussion. The meeting took place at EPA Region 2 headquarters in NYC.
Child Health Research Day 2016
Child Health Research Day is a two-day program held annually in April and is organized and co-sponsored with the Department of Pediatrics, The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute and the Department of Preventive Medicine. Faculty, staff, clinical and research post-doctoral fellows, social workers, nurses and junior faculty gather together to present poster or oral presentations in basic, translational and clinical research.
The goal is to advance collaborations between basic, clinical and social scientists and expand scientific knowledge in the fields of neonatal, infant, child and adolescent health. Pediatrics Grand Rounds was given by Louis J. Muglia, MD, PhD from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center on “Preventing Prematurity: Using Human Genomics to Understand Birth Timing.”
The event provides opportunities for young investigators within the Pediatrics Department and The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute to identify new research topics and areas of collaboration.
Regional Meeting Tackles Lead Poisoning
This fall, a group of medical professionals, public health advocates, and representatives from federal, state, and city agencies convened to discuss children’s environmental health concerns with a focus on lead-based paint hazards. The meeting took place at the NJ Poison Center and concluded with a collective decision to move forward on addressing lead challenges in NJ as a regional team. Participating organizations include Region 2 EPA, ATSDR, HRSA, NJDOH, and PEHSU. Drs. Maida Galvez, Perry Sheffield, and Lauren Zajac from the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai were in attendance.
Growing Up Healthy: Research Update
The Growing Up Healthy Research Team at Mount Sinai conducted a study beginning in 2003 to better understand chemicals, obesity, early maturation, asthma, and neighborhood factors related to puberty and development. This was part of a national study that included 1,239 young female participants. The research team created a newsletter to describe some of the data they collected and to update participants and their families on the status of the project. Please click here to view the newsletter.
Bright Futures 4th Edition Public Review
In partnership with the National Center for Healthy Housing, pediatricians from Mount Sinai’s Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit submitted recommendations for additions to the Fourth Edition of the Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. These additions focused on key environmental health concerns for various stages of a child’s development, including chemical exposures found within the home and transmitted through consumer products. We are optimistic that many of our additions will appear in future editions of Bright Futures and hope that environmental health topics become an integral part of wellness visits for children and youth of all ages.