Public Health News

Improper drug disposal is an issue that affects us here in New York and across the nation. While researchers in Washington State recently found water contamination from improperly disposed drugs, New York State recently approved a policy to combat this issue.

As part of the Reforming Energy Vision initiative, the New York State Department of Public Service, Con Edison, National Express, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority are participating in a demonstration project to operate five electric school buses throughout the White Plains public school district. The plan is for school buses to operate normally through the year and charge at night, while in the summer months they will be plugged into the grid and used as energy storage assets.

The EPA has once again been gaining public attention for recent regulations (or lack thereof) associated with potentially dangerous chemicals found in everyday cleaning products.  Policymakers in New York have worked to implement more strict standards.  However, there is still work to be done to protect our environment and health.

Adriana Espinoza, our NYC Program Director, recently submitted testimony to the New York City Council's Health and Finance Committees last week regarding our healthy foods budget priorities.  We called for a $10 million investment to expand grocery store access in underserved communities, a $15 million to increase healthy food SNAP incentive program, and a $3 million investment to increase healthy food options at corner stores.  

Early last year, Governor Cuomo announced plans for a regulation that would require manufacturers of cleaning products to disclose all of the ingredients in any cleaning products sold in New York on their websites, as well as disclosure of the ingredients to the State.

Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) found that toxic chemicals in drinking water can be harmful at much lower levels than the EPA previously reported as safe. Newly disclosed e-mails between members of the EPA revealed that the agency tried to keep this information hidden to avoid conflict with the public and a negative reaction from the media.

Earlier this month, the New York City Council introduced a package of legislation designed to tackle lead exposure in NYC from water, soil, and paint. The seventeen bills represent the largest and most concerted effort to address lead poisoning in years.

Lead is particularly harmful to young children, and can cause arrested development including serious learning and behavioral problems and delayed physical growth and mental development. How does the City protect children and eliminate exposure to lead?