Restaurant and Staff Characteristics Related to Practices that Could Contribute to Cross-Contamination.

Foodborne illness is a persistent public health concern in the U.S.; over 800 foodborne illness outbreaks are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) annually.

Evaluation of Data Sources for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Surveillance in New York City.

Context: Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure can be life-threatening. Suspected and confirmed cases of CO poisoning warranting health care in New York City (NYC) are reportable to the NYC Poison Control Center (PCC).

Objectives: We evaluated 4 hospital-based sources of CO surveillance data to identify ways to improve data capture and reporting.

Observed Potential Cross-Contamination in Retail Delicatessens.

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is a persistent public health concern in the United States and is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness. Cross-contamination of L. monocytogenes (between contaminated and uncontaminated equipment, food, and hands) is common in delicatessens and likely plays a role in the foodborne illness associated with retail deli meats.

Cardiovascular Health Risk Behaviors by Occupation in the NYC Labor Force.

Objective: We explored associations between occupation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk behaviors including: attempted weight loss, physical activity, smoking, and restaurant meal and sugary beverage consumption.

Methods: We used NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 to 2014 data, and coded free-text, occupational question responses using 2010 US Census Bureau Classification. CVD risk behaviors were compared across occupational categories, using regression to adjust for demographics.

Retail Deli Characteristics Associated with Sanitizing Solution Concentrations.

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found in retail delicatessen environments. Proper types and concentrations of sanitizers must be used to eliminate this pathogen from surfaces and reduce the consumer's risk for infection. In 2012, the Environmental Health Specialists Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention completed a study on practices in retail delis that can help prevent cross-contamination and growth of L.

Impact of a Municipal Policy Restricting Trans Fatty Acid Use in New York City Restaurants on Serum Trans Fatty Acid Levels in Adults.

Objectives: To estimate the impact of the 2006 policy restricting use of trans fatty acids (TFAs) in New York City restaurants on change in serum TFA concentrations in New York City adults.

Methods: Two cross-sectional population-based New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 2004 (n = 212) and 2013-2014 (n = 247) provided estimates of serum TFA exposure and average frequency of weekly restaurant meals. We estimated the geometric mean of the sum of serum TFAs by year and restaurant meal frequency by using linear regression.

Tracking Declines in Mercury Exposure in the New York City Adult Population, 2004-2014.

Mercury is a toxic metal that can be measured in human blood and urine. Population-based biomonitoring from 2004 guided New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) efforts to reduce exposures by educating the public about risks and benefits of fish consumption-a predominant source of exposure in the general population-and removing mercury-containing skin-lightening creams and other consumer products from the marketplace. We describe changes in exposures over the past decade in relation to these local public health actions and in the context of national changes by comparing mercury concentrations measured in blood (1201 specimens) and urine (1408 specimens) from the NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NYC HANES) 2013-2014 with measurements from NYC HANES 2004 and National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2003-2004 and 2013-2014.

Hot Weather Impacts on New York City Restaurant Food Safety Violations and Operations.

Previous studies have shown that higher ambient air temperature is associated with increased incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses, possibly as a result of leaving potentially hazardous food in the temperature danger zone for too long. However, little is known about the effect of hot weather on restaurant practices to maintain safe food temperatures. We examined hot weather impacts on restaurant food safety violations and operations in New York City using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Declines in adult blood lead levels in New York City compared with the United States, 2004-2014.

Objectives: To assess changes in lead exposure in the New York City (NYC) adult population over a 10-year period and to contrast changes with national estimates, overall, and by socio-demographics and smoking status.

Methods: We used measurements of blood lead levels (BLLs) from NYC resident adults who participated in the NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (HANES) in 2004 and 2013-2014. We compared estimates of geometric means (GM), 95th percentiles, and prevalence of BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL overall and by subgroups over time, with adults who participated in the National HANES (NHANES) 2001-2004 and 2011-2014.

Using Tracking Data to Promote Environmental Public Health Through Regulatory and Legislative Processes in New York City.

Legislation and regulation are powerful tools for decreasing health risks from environmental hazards. Legislation is enacted by an elected body, and regulations are issued by an agency in the executive branch delegated authority by the legislature to carry out enacted laws. The New York City (NYC) Environmental Public Health Tracking Program makes data and analytic findings available to policy makers to inform development of sound and effective environmental health legislation and regulation.

Using tracking infrastructure to support public health programs, policies, and emergency response in New York City.

Objective: To describe how the New York City (NYC) Tracking Program has used nationally mandated Secure Portal infrastructure and staff analytical expertise to support programs and inform policy.

Setting: The NYC Health Department assesses, investigates, and acts on a wide range of environmental concerns to protect the health of New Yorkers.

Design: Specific examples of highly effective policies or initiatives that relied on the NYC Tracking Program are described, including restaurant sanitary grade posting, rat indexing, converting boilers to cleaner-burning fuels, reducing exposure to mercury from fish and contaminated products, and responding to Superstorm Sandy.

Impact of a letter-grade program on restaurant sanitary conditions and diner behavior in New York City.

Objectives: We evaluated the impact of the New York City restaurant letter-grading program on restaurant hygiene, food safety practices, and public awareness.

Methods: We analyzed data from 43,448 restaurants inspected between 2007 and 2013 to measure changes in inspection score and violation citations since program launch in July 2010. We used binomial regression to assess probability of scoring 0 to 13 points (A-range score).

Population-based biomonitoring of exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides in New York City.

Background: Organophosphates and pyrethroids are the most common classes of insecticides used in the United States. Widespread use of these compounds to control building infestations in New York City (NYC) may have caused higher exposure than in less-urban settings.

Objectives: The objectives of our study were to estimate pesticide exposure reference values for NYC and identify demographic and behavioral characteristics that predict exposures.

Erratum: "A Biomonitoring Study of Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in the Blood of New York City Adults".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10056.

Population-based inorganic mercury biomonitoring and the identification of skin care products as a source of exposure in New York City.

Background: Mercury is a toxic metal that has been used for centuries as a constituent of medicines and other items.

Objective: We assessed exposure to inorganic mercury in the adult population of New York City (NYC).

Methods: We measured mercury concentrations in spot urine specimens from a representative sample of 1,840 adult New Yorkers in the 2004 NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls in Asian market fish: a response to results from mercury biomonitoring in New York City.

In 2004, the New York City (NYC) Health and Nutrition Examination Survey measured the highest blood mercury levels in Asian and foreign-born Chinese demographic groups. Fish consumption was the strongest predictor of exposure. The survey did not inquire about consumption of individual species, and subsequent visits to fish markets serving the Asian community suggested that many popular species lack contaminant data.

Characterization of residential pest control products used in inner city communities in New York City.

The Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) previously reported widespread residential insecticide use in urban communities in New York City. Research suggests that pyrethroids are replacing organophosphates (OPs) in response to 2000-2001 US EPA pesticide regulations restricting OP use. A systematic assessment of active ingredients used for residential pest control is lacking.

Effectiveness of an integrated pest management intervention in controlling cockroaches, mice, and allergens in New York City public housing.

Background: Cockroaches and mice, which are common in urban homes, are sources of allergens capable of triggering asthma symptoms. Traditional pest control involves the use of scheduled applications of pesticides by professionals as well as pesticide use by residents. In contrast, integrated pest management (IPM) involves sanitation, building maintenance, and limited use of least toxic pesticides.

Asthma diagnosed after 11 September 2001 among rescue and recovery workers: findings from the World Trade Center Health Registry.

Background: Studies have consistently documented declines in respiratory health after 11 September 2001 (9/11) among surviving first responders and other World Trade Center (WTC) rescue, recovery, and clean-up workers.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe the risk of newly diagnosed asthma among WTC site workers and volunteers and to characterize its association with WTC site exposures.

Methods: We analyzed 2003-2004 interview data from the World Trade Center Health Registry for workers who did not have asthma before 9/11 (n = 25,748), estimating the risk of newly diagnosed asthma and its associations with WTC work history, including mask or respirator use.

A biomonitoring study of lead, cadmium, and mercury in the blood of New York city adults.

Objectives: We assessed the extent of exposure to lead, cadmium, and mercury in the New York City (NYC) adult population.

Methods: We measured blood metal concentrations in a representative sample of 1,811 NYC residents as part of the NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2004.

Results: The geometric mean blood mercury concentration was 2.

Breast cancer risk and drinking water contaminated by wastewater: a case control study.

Background: Drinking water contaminated by wastewater is a potential source of exposure to mammary carcinogens and endocrine disrupting compounds from commercial products and excreted natural and pharmaceutical hormones. These contaminants are hypothesized to increase breast cancer risk. Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has a history of wastewater contamination in many, but not all, of its public water supplies; and the region has a history of higher breast cancer incidence that is unexplained by the population's age, in-migration, mammography use, or established breast cancer risk factors.

Periodontal health and oral mucosal lesions as related to occupational exposure to acid mists.

Objectives: The association between exposure to acid mists and periodontal changes and oral mucosal lesions was measured using data from an Oral Health Promotion Program in a large metal plant. The role of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and oral health behavior in relation to these outcomes was also examined.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 665 active male workers who volunteered to participate in the oral health program.