News

Dr. Mathew Perzanowski

Experts from the Mailman School of Public Health’s Columbia Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) hosted “Healthy Homes and You,” a community forum and scientific session that addressed environmental impacts on human health with a special focus on exposures in the home. The forum is part of a series of open dialogues among the public, federal, state and local government officials, and environmental health professionals working on community exposures and other environmental health issues.

The Mailman School’s Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan and the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, with WE ACT for Environmental Justice - the first environmental justice organization - collaborate with the NIEHS on cutting edge research on key environmental problems. This community forum provided an opportunity to broaden public understanding of the most pressing and key environmental problems of the nation and how best to solve them.

Scientific Session

At the scientific session, Mailman School faculty from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences presented their latest research on environmental exposures; this was followed by a roundtable discussion and question and answer session with members of the audience.

Mathew Perzanowski, PhD, Mailman School assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences, reported findings on allergic sensitization and asthma and how exposure to mouse and cockroach allergen exacerbates asthma. While we know that asthma increases in the teen years, Dr. Perzanowski’s research indicates that the prevalence of asthma and wheeze is occurring now in certain Bronx and Northern Manhattan neighborhoods at the ages of two and three years, with more incidences of emergency room visits in high asthma neighborhoods. Robin Whyatt, DrPH, professor of clinical Environmental Health Sciences and deputy director of the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, reported on the impact of environmental exposures during pregnancy and early childhood. In evaluating effects of pesticide on birth outcomes and neuro-cognitive development and endocrine disruptors, Dr. Whyatt’s research demonstrates widespread phthalate exposure among some populations in Northern Manhattan.

In his presentation on air pollution and its impact on public health, Patrick Kinney, ScD, made the point that rising CO2 promotes tree and weed growth, leading to higher amounts of pollen and contributing to higher rates of seasonal allergies. In closing the formal afternoon scientific presentations, Peggy Shepard of WE ACT spoke about the growing awareness of community conditions that lead to health disparities and how children, unfortunately, are disproportionately affected by the environment.

Community Forum

An evening roundtable session gave members of the community further opportunity to participate in the discussion. A keynote address by NIEHS Director Linda Birnbaum, PhD, referenced cancer, autism, nanoparticles, and climate and health as four critical areas of NIEHS research under the Obama administration. Dr. Birnbaum emphasized environmental as well as genetic factors related to cancer and autism, and the ultimate goal of disease prevention. She also discussed the importance of educating the community about the scientific research, thus empowering residents to make a difference. She concluded her address with the message that "while you can't change your genes, you can change your environment."

Following Dr. Birnbaum’s talk, expert panelists at the evening session addressed a range of issues pertaining to indoor allergens. Joseph Graziano, PhD, Mailman School professor of Environmental Health Sciences, spoke about the harmful effects of lead poisoning; Larraine Koehler of U.S.EPA, commented on indoor air quality; Daniel Kass, of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, discussed the prevalence and effects of pesticides and IPM; Robin Whyatt, addressed issues regarding personal care products as endocrine disruptors, and Ray Lopez, of Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service, spoke on mold and bed bugs.

“We value this unique opportunity to host a discussion that sheds more light on the topic of indoor environmental exposures, the risks to our children, and its impact overall on the public’s health,” said Dr. Regina Santella, director of the Columbia NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan. “We hope to continue the dialog by providing a forum such as today’s gathering for Center researchers, peer environmental health experts, government health officials, community advocates, and members of the public to come together and discuss these highly relevant issues to our community.”