Center for Environmental Health Directory
New York State Department of Health
Flanigan Square, 547 River Street
Troy, NY 12180-2216
- Center for Environmental Health Directory (PDF, 1.32MB, 16pg.).
Welcome to the New York State Department of Health's Center for Environmental Health.
The Center applies scientific, medical, engineering, and public health expertise to identify, understand, prevent, and mitigate risks to human health from New York State's living and working environments. This directory describes the environmental health responsibilities and activities for each division, bureau, and program group within the Center.
NYSDOH regional offices and local health departments (NYSDOH district offices, county health departments, and the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene) are listed at the end of the directory.
| Telephone Directory | |
|---|---|
| Environmental Health Information Line | 800-458-1158 |
| Office of the Director Information Systems & Technology Unit Outreach & Education Group |
518 402-7500 518 402-7474 518 402-7530 |
| Division of Environmental Health Assessment Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment Bureau of Occupational Health |
518 402-7511 518 402-7950 518 402-7800 518 402-7900 |
| Division of Environmental Health Protection Bureau of Community Environmental Health & Food Protection Bureau of Water Supply Protection Field Coordination Unit |
518 402-7510 518 402-7600 518 402-7650 518 402-7510 |
| Division of Environmental Health Investigation Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation |
518 402-7501 518 402-7550 518 402-7850 |
A DOH duty officer is available during non-working hours (holidays, nights, and weekends). The duty officer receives and refers, as necessary, official communications from the Governor's Office, NYS Police, NYS Office of Emergency Management, or other agencies. In addition, the duty officer handles calls from the general public reporting urgent public health concerns.
| After-Hours Duty Officer | 866-881-2809 |
| Center Staff E-mail Address | ceheduc@health.state.ny.us |
| Center for Environmental Health Web Site Information | www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/ |
Center for Environmental Health
Nancy Kim, Ph.D., Interim Director
Marion LaPoint, Health Program Administrator
518 402-7500
Fax 518 402-7509
The Office of the Center Director provides overall executive direction for environmental health programs. In addition to supervision of central office staff, the office works closely with regional office staff to coordinate the oversight of environmental health program activities implemented by the Department's nine district offices, 36 county health departments, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Information Systems & Technology Unit
John Bintz, Network Administration & Resource Development
Victor Friedman, Data Systems, Administration & Support
Kim Mann, Application Development
518 402-7474
Fax 518 402-7499
Unit staff provide comprehensive computer services to the Center and local health units including district offices, regional offices, and county health departments. Staff provide support in the following areas:
- network, intranet, and internet solutions to enhance electronic communication;
- systems analysis, database design, and application development; and
- design and maintenance of centralized environmental health data systems.
Outreach & Education Group
Faith Schottenfeld, Director
518 402-7530
Fax 518 402-7539
The Group maintains communication with Center staff and the public to raise awareness, increase understanding, and respond to concerns about environmental health issues. The Group is responsible for:
- coordinating the Center's response to the public regarding environmental health issues;
- coordinating community involvement and public participation for a wide range of programs across Center bureaus and divisions;
- identifying educational and outreach needs for diverse audiences;
- developing key messages and designing and preparing information packages;
- creating fact sheets, brochures, flyers, posters, videos, presentations and exhibits; and
- managing the Environmental Health Infoline.
The Center maintains a toll-free environmental health information line to encourage and simplify communication with the public. The number is 1-800-458-1158. The infoline is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. After-hours callers can leave a message. Calls are routed by computer from an electronic menu, or operators will route the calls. To reach the extension for any of the Center programs listed, dial the last 5 digits of the program's phone number. (For example, the Outreach and Education Group can be reached by dialing 27530.)
Division of Environmental Health Assessment
Edward Horn, Ph.D., Director
Anthony Grey, Assistant Director
John Wilson, Associate Director
518 402-7511
Fax 518 402-7509
The Division provides environmental epidemiological, toxicological, and risk assessment expertise in support of the Center's and New York's environmental health and protection programs. The Division employs biologists, chemists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, statisticians, physicians, industrial hygienists, and other public health professionals to provide a sound scientific foundation for environmental health policies and regulations in the state.
Staff evaluate the health effects of exposure to chemical, physical, and microbiological agents in the environment, and characterize the risks posed by these exposures. Epidemiological methods are used to identify and measure the influence of environmental factors on human disease in the community.
The Division is composed of three bureaus.
Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
Syni-An Hwang, Ph.D., Director
518 402-7950
Fax 518 402-7959
Bureau staff study, monitor, and evaluate the effects of exposure to toxic substances at home, at work, and in the community. The Bureau is responsible for:
- epidemiological studies to help identify environmental risk factors;
- geographic information system maps of disease and risk factors;
- surveillance and research of congenital malformations;
- registries of people exposed to environmental risk factors to monitor their health status over time;
- exposure investigations to identify and reduce environmental health risks; and
- public education regarding environmental and occupational exposures and health risks.
The Bureau has five sections:
| Community Exposure Research Section | Elizabeth Lewis-Michl, Ph.D. |
| Environmental Health Surveillance Section | Thomas Talbot |
| Special Studies, Statistical & Support Section | Lenore Gensburg |
| Epidemiologic Studies & Evaluation Section | Shao Lin, Ph.D. |
| Congenital Malformations Registry & Research Section |
Philip Cross Charlotte Druschel, M.D., |
Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment
Daniel Luttinger, Ph.D., Director
Kevin Gleason, Assistant Director
518 402-7800
Fax 518 402-7819
Bureau staff assess the potential for exposures and risks when people come in contact with toxic substances through air, water, soil, and food.
Bureau staff:
- assess exposures and risks associated with contaminated sites;
- evaluate pesticides registered in the state to determine their potential to pose significant risks to public health;
- develop annual sportfish and game consumption advisories;
- perform indoor air quality assessments for schools and other public buildings;
- assist in the development of drinking water and ambient water standards and guidelines;
- assess potential public health impacts of electric generating facilities, incinerators and other sources;
- manage the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance Program; and
- provide information for responding to instances of chemical and biological releases/exposures.
The Bureau has four sections:
| Toxicological Assessment Section | Jan Storm, Ph.D. |
| Indoor Health Assessment Section | Gerald McDonald |
| Exposure Assessment Section | Judith Abbott |
| Hazardous Substance Events Surveillance Section | Wanda Welles, Ph.D. |
Bureau of Occupational Health
Eileen Franko, Dr. P.H., M.P.H., Director
Matthew Mauer, D.O., M.P.H., Medical Director
518 402-7900
Fax 518 402-7909
Bureau staff monitor and address work-related illness and injury, provide work-site consultation service, and oversee a statewide network of clinics specializing in diagnosis and prevention of occupational diseases. Staff respond to questions and concerns regarding:
- work-related illness and hazardous exposures;
- certification and training of asbestos-removal workers;
- agricultural safety and health;
- occupationally related deaths;
- work-sites affected by transmission of tuberculosis; and
- reporting to environmental disease registries for\
- Heavy Metal Poisoning (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)
- Occupational Lung Diseases (asthma, asbestosis, silicosis, etc.)
- Pesticide Poisonings.
The Bureau has six sections:
| Pesticide Poisoning Registry | Robert Stone, Ph.D. |
| Data Management | David Marion |
| Asbestos Worker Training Certification | Richard Davis |
| Industrial Hygiene Intervention | Nicholas Pavelchak |
| Epidemiologic Surveillance & Occupational Health Clinic Network | Kitty Gelberg, M.P.H., Ph.D. |
| Occupational Medicine | Matthew Mauer, D.O., M.P.H |
Division of Environmental Health Protection
Richard Svenson, P.E., Director
Richard Bills, Assistant Director
518 402-7510
Fax 518 402-7519
The Division houses most of the Center's statutory regulatory programs designed to minimize environmental health threats. Some of the programs protect the population at large, such as public drinking water supplies, food safety in restaurants, and sanitation/fire safety in hotels. Other programs target populations needing specific interventions to prevent illness, such as preventing lead poisoning and ensuring migrant worker health. The Division is composed of one unit and two bureaus.
Field Coordination Unit
Claudine Jones Rafferty
Dennis Croswell
Roger France, P.E.
518 402-7510
Fax 518 402-7509
Unit staff work closely with the Regional Environmental Health Directors and act as the chief liaison between regional staff and Center for Environmental Health staff, primarily the Division of Environmental Health Protection. The unit staff also work closely with local health departments, including DOH district offices. Unit staff coordinate with regional staff in monitoring and oversight of the implementation of environmental health programs. This includes assisting with planning and training, and facilitating communication and cooperation, as well as evaluation of data management, inspection, and enforcement programs.
Unit Staff also work with central, regional, and field staff to support professional development of environmental health staff and to standardize program delivery. The unit manages the Division's professional engineer continuing education credit program.
Bureau of Community Environmental Health &Food Protection
Michael Cambridge, R.S., Director
Douglas Sackett, Assistant Director
518 402-7600
Fax 518 402-7609
Bureau staff develop, coordinate, and evaluate regulatory programs and advise individuals about preventing environmental illnesses and injuries in the home and recreationally. Bureau staff respond to questions and concerns about:
- food-borne illnesses;
- residential and recreational injuries;
- public health nuisances;
- drowning and bathing emergencies;
- fire safety;
- restaurant sanitation;
- lead paint hazards in homes;
- tobacco access by minors;
- environmental tobacco smoke control; and
- any of the regulated facilities.
The Bureau has four sections:
| Food Protection Section | Barbara Gerzonich, R.S. |
| Recreational Environmental Health Section | Timothy Shay |
| Housing Hygiene Section | Thomas Carroll |
| Tobacco Enforcement Section | Brian Miner |
Bureau of Water Supply Protection
Victor Pisani
John Dunn, P.E., Assistant Director
518 402-7650
Fax 518 402-7659
Bureau staff regulate water suppliers in the state and respond to questions and concerns about the following:
- reports of water-related illness;
- water quality, advisories, or problems with a water provider;
- water treatment and the design of water treatment systems;
- water system security, emergency preparedness, and response;
- water related research and environmental risk assessment;
- water related critical infrastructure protection and geographic information system support;
- practical ways to reduce exposure to possible contaminants in drinkng water;
- watershed protection;
- standards for water treatment and quality;
- water system improvement funding;
- small system technical assistance;
- bottled and bulk water provider certification;
- water treatment and distribution system operator certification; and
- private residential water and onsite wastewater treatment systems.
The Bureau has eight sections:
| Design | Michael Montysko, P.E. |
| Operations | Craig Jackson, P.E. |
| Residential Sanitation | Ben Pierson, P.E. |
| Compliance | Tina Hunt, P.E. |
| Information Systems | Thomas Hart |
| Source Protection | Lloyd Wilson, Ph.D. |
| New York City Watershed | Roger Sokol, Ph.D. |
| Certification | Teresa Boepple-Swider, P.E. |
Division of Environmental Health Investigation
G. Anders Carlson, Ph.D., Director
Adela Salame-Alfie, Ph.D., Assistant Director
Gail Amento, Division Administrator
518 402-7501
Fax 518 402-7519
The Division is responsible for overseeing programs that identify environmental risk factors, evaluate those exposures, and implement programs to reduce morbidity and mortality by recommending appropriate interventions. It is also responsible for programs that deal with radiation safety and those that investigate and mitigate the impact of hazardous waste on the health of NYS citizens. Its two bureaus utilize the skills of health physicists, engineers, technical specialists, and other public health professionals to address these public health issues.
Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection
Stephen Gavitt, C.H.P., Acting Director
Clayton Bradt, Assistant Director
518 402-7550
Fax 518 402-7554
Bureau staff address public health risks from exposure to radiation and respond to questions and concerns about:
- home testing for radon and radon reduction measures;
- health effects from radiation, including electromagnetic fields;
- use of X-ray machines or other radiation sources;
- licensing of radioactive material users;
- licensing of radiologic technologists;
- any site-related radiation concerns;
- low-level radioactive waste disposal;
- response to radiation emergencies or incidents; and
- nuclear reactor safety.
The Bureau has four sections:
| Radiation Equipment Section | Thomas Miller |
| Radioactive Materials Section | Robert Dansereau |
| Environmental Radiation/Radon Section | Robert Snyder |
| Emergency Response Section | Cynthia Costello |
Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation
Gary Litwin, Director
Steven Bates, P.E., Assistant Director
518 402-7850
Fax 518 402-7859
Bureau staff investigate the potential for human exposure from environmental contamination, primarily at inactive hazardous waste sites and Brownfield sites. Activities include water sampling and treatment; dump site, construction site, and spill investigations; and emergency event investigations. For every state, federal Superfund, Brownfield, and voluntary clean-up site, a Bureau specialist is assigned to coordinate and communicate health-related activities. In addition, Bureau staff prepare public health assessments for federal Superfund sites under an agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Staff also conduct exposure investigations as part of the state's Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative.
The Bureau has five sections and one unit:
| Long Island/ATSDR Section | Donald Miles |
| Metro Section | Geoffrey Laccetti |
| Mid Hudson Section | Michael Rivara |
| Northern Section | Richard Fedigan |
| Central Section | Mark VanValkenburg |
| Reporting & Management Unit | Michael Arnold |
NYSDOH Regional and Field Structure
Regional, district, county, and city health departments carry out environmental health programs to ensure that suitable water, food, housing, and recreational facilities are provided to the public. County health departments and district offices identify, investigate, and resolve actual and potential health hazards caused by environmental factors. Telephone numbers for regional, district, county, and city health departments are listed below.
Western Region (Buffalo, Rochester)
585 423-8072
Ralph VanHouten, Regional Environmental Health Program Director
| Geneva District Office (Ontario, Wayne, Yates) |
Nicholas Rich, Director | 315 789-3030 |
| Hornell District Office (Steuben, Schuyler) |
Thomas Klaseus, Director | 607 324-8371 |
- Allegany: 585 268-9250
- Cattaraugus: 716 373-8050
- Chautauqua: 716 753-4481
- Chemung: 607 737-2019
- Erie: 716 858-6089
- Genesee: 585 344-2580
- Livingston: 585 243-7280
- Monroe: 585 274-6067
- Niagara: 716 439-7444
- Orleans: 585 589-3272
- Seneca: 315 539-1945
- Wyoming: 585 786-8894
Central Region (Syracuse)
315 477-8100
Ronald Heerkens, Regional Environmental Health Program Director
| Canton District Office (St. Lawrence) |
315 386-1040 | |
| Watertown District Office (Jefferson, Lewis) |
Thomas Boxberger, Dir. | 315 785-2277 |
- Broome: 607 778-2887
- Cayuga: 315 253-1405
- Chenango: 607 337-1673
- Cortland: 607 753-5035
- Madison: 315 366-2526
- Oneida: 315 798-5064
- Onondaga: 315 435-6623
- Oswego: 315 349-3564
- Tioga: 607 687-8600
- Tompkins: 607 274-6688
Capital Region (Troy)
518 408-5423
J. Patrick Trapp, Regional Environmental Health Program Director
| Glens Falls District Office (Saratoga, Warren, Washington) |
Anita Gabalski, Director | 518 793-3893 |
| Herkimer District Office (Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery) |
Donald Van Patten, Director | 315 866-6879 |
| Oneonta District Office (Delaware, Greene, Otsego) |
Robert Pierce, Director | 607 432-3911 |
| Saranac Lake District Office (Essex, Franklin, Hamilton) |
William Amberman, Director | 518 891-1800 |
- Albany: 518 447-4620
- Clinton: 518 565-4870
- Columbia: 518 828-3358
- Rensselaer: 518 270-2674
- Schenectady: 518 386-2818
- Schoharie: 518 295-8382
Metropolitan Region (New York City)
212 268-7185
Brian Devine, Regional Environmental Health Program Director
| Located in Monticello District Office | 845 794-2045 | |
| New Rochelle Field Office | 914 654-7000 | |
| Central Islip Field Office | 631 851-3087 | |
| Monticello District Office (Sullivan) |
Mark Knudsen, Director | 845 794-2045 |
- Dutchess: 845 486-3404
- Nassau: 516 571-3410
- Orange: 845 291-2331
- Putnam: 845 278-6130
- Rockland: 845 364-2608
- Suffolk: 631 853-3058
- Ulster: 845 340-3150
- Westchester: 914 813-5000