Center for Environmental Health Directory

New York State Department of Health
Flanigan Square, 547 River Street
Troy, NY 12180-2216

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. It utilizes biologists, chemists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, statisticians, physicians, engineers, health physicists, industrial hygienists and other public health professionals. 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
518 402-7739
Division of Environmental Health Investigation
Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection
Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation		 518 402-7501
518 402-7550
518 402-7850
Center Staff E-mail Address ceheduc@health.state.ny.us
Center for Environmental Health Web Site www.health.ny.gov/environmental/

A NYSDOH 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 for Environmental Health

Acting Center Director - Robert Chinery, M.S., P.E.
Center Administrator - Gail Amento

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

    Network Administration & Resource Development - John Bintz
    Data Systems, Administration & Support - Victor Friedman
    Application Development - Kim Mann

    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

    Director - Faith Schottenfeld, Ed.D.

    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.

Division of Environmental Health Assessment

Acting Director - Kevin Gleason
Associate Director - John Wilson

518 402-7511
Fax 518 402-7509

The Division evaluates the health effects of people's exposure to chemical, physical and microbiological agents in food, soil, water, air and consumer products. It carries out exposure and health effects studies of people who have been exposed to environmental chemicals and it identifies and studies practices that put workers or the public at risk for injuries or adverse health effects. The Division maintains environmental disease registries and uses registry data to conduct research and design public health interventions. The Division uses mapping and other tools to display data, for health professionals and the public, on chemicals in the environment and on diseases. These tools increase understanding of changes over time and across New York State. Through these activities, the Division informs people about possible health risks and how to reduce or eliminate them.

  • Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology

    Director - Syni-An Hwang, Ph.D.
    Assistant Director - Philip Cross

    518 402-7950
    Fax 518 402-7959

    Bureau staff study, monitor and evaluate the effects of exposure to toxic substances and other environmental factors at home, at work and in the community. The Bureau is responsible for:

    • surveillance of chronic diseases and 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 four sections:

    Community Exposure Research Elizabeth Lewis-Michl, Ph.D.
    Congenital Malformations Registry & Research Charlotte Druschel, M.D., Medical Director
    Environmental Health Surveillance Thomas Talbot
    Epidemiologic Studies & Evaluation Shao Lin, Ph.D.

  • Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment

    Director - Daniel Luttinger, Ph.D.
    Acting Assistant Director - Jan Storm, Ph.D.

    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 National Toxic Substance Incidence Program; and
    • provide information for responding to instances of chemical and biological releases/exposures.

    The Bureau has four sections:

    Toxicological Assessment James Leach
    Indoor Health Assessment Gerald McDonald
    Exposure Assessment Judith Abbott
    Hazardous Substance Events Surveillance Wanda Welles, Ph.D.

  • Bureau of Occupational Health

    Director - Eileen Franko, Dr. P.H., M.P.H.
    Medical Director - Matthew Mauer, D.O., M.P.H.

    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. In addition to these activities bureau staff are responsible for emergency preparedness planning and emergency response coordination for all Division and Bureau programs in the Center. Staff respond to questions and concerns regarding:

    • work-related illness and hazardous exposures;
    • certification and training of asbestos-removal workers;
    • occupationally related deaths; and
    • reporting to environmental disease registries for:
      • Heavy Metal Poisoning (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)
      • Occupational Lung Diseases (asthma, asbestosis silicosis, etc.) and
      • Pesticide Poisonings.

    The Bureau has six sections:

    Pesticide Poisoning Registry Robert Stone, Ph.D.
    Data Management David Marion
    Asbestos Worker Training Certification Kevin Malone
    Industrial Hygiene Intervention Nicholas Pavelchak
    Epidemiologic Surveillance & Occupational Health Clinic Network Kitty Gelberg, M.P.H., Ph.D.
    Occupational & Environmental Medicine Research Matthew Mauer, D.O., M.P.H

Division of Environmental Health Protection

Director - Vacant

518 402-7510
Fax 518 402-7519

The Division houses most of the Center's 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 promoting migrant worker health.

  • Bureau of Community Environmental Health & Food Protection

    Director - Michael Cambridge, R.S.
    Assistant Director - Douglas Sackett

    518 402-7600
    Fax 518 402-7609

    Bureau staff develop environmental health regulations and associated program guidance to ensure that core environmental health program standards are achieved in the areas listed below. Staff research public health issues which forms the scientific basis for regulation development and provides training to local health departments and district offices. Bureau staff oversee illness and injury incident investigations associated with these regulated facilities and respond to questions and concerns from the public.

    Program areas include:

    • children's camps;
    • food service facilities;
    • public beaches and pools;
    • migrant farmworker housing;
    • hotels and motels;
    • adolescent tobacco use prevention;
    • clean indoor air act (tobacco smoke);
    • ultraviolet tanning facilities;
    • tattooing and body piercing;
    • environmental lead hazards investigations;
    • primary prevention of lead poisoning;
    • campgrounds and agricultural fairgrounds;
    • public health nuisances;
    • mobile home parks; and
    • mass gatherings.

    The Bureau has five sections:

    Food Protection Darby Greco
    Recreational Environmental Health Timothy Shay
    Housing Hygiene Thomas Carroll
    Tobacco Enforcement Brian Miner
    Program Standardization Evaluation and Reporting Melissa Brewer

  • Bureau of Water Supply Protection

    Director - Roger Sokol, Ph.D.
    Coordinator for Research & Special Projects - Lloyd Wilson, Ph.D.

    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 drinking 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;
    • private residential water and onsite wastewater treatment systems; and
    • recreational bathing facilities design.

    The Bureau has six sections:

    Design Michael Montysko, P.E.
    Operations Craig Jackson, P.E.
    Residential Sanitation & Recreational Engineering Ben Pierson, P.E.
    Information Systems/Compliance Tina Hunt, P.E.
    New York City Watershed Pamela Young, Ph.D.
    Certification Teresa Boepple-Swider, P.E.

  • Field Coordination Unit

    Director - Claudine Jones Rafferty

    518 402-7739
    Fax 518 402-7509

    Unit staff work closely with the Regional Environmental Health Directors and are the chief liaison between regional staff and Center for Environmental Health staff, primarily the Division of Environmental Health Protection. Unit staff coordinate with division and regional staff to standardize, monitor, assess and oversee implementation of environmental health protection programs, statewide. Unit staff coordinate with central, regional, district and local health department offices to support professional development of environmental health staff and manages the Division's professional engineer continuing education credit program.

Division of Environmental Health Investigation

Acting Director - Adela Salame-Alfie, Ph.D.

518 402-7501
Fax 518 402-7519

The Division identifies environmental risk factors, evaluates exposures and implements programs to reduce sickness and death. It also assesses soil, water and air at and near contaminated sites to monitor hazards and potential exposures to homes, schools and businesses. It houses regulatory and non-regulatory programs in the areas of radiation protection and hazardous waste remediation. It also manages the department's Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and a Cooperative Agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry to conduct health assessments.

  • Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection

    Director - Stephen Gavitt, C.H.P.
    Assistant Director - Robert Dansereau

    518 402-7550
    Fax 518 402-7554

    Bureau staff address public health risks from exposure to radiation. Major program areas are:

    • registration and use of x-ray machines or other radiation sources;
    • licensing of radioactive material;
    • licensing and registration of radiologic technologists;
    • home testing for radon and radon reduction measures;
    • health effects from radiation, including electromagnetic fields;
    • any site-related radiation concerns; and
    • response to radiation emergencies or incidents.

    The Bureau has four sections:

    Radiation Equipment Alexander Damiani
    Radioactive Materials Charles Burns
    Environmental Radiation/Radon & Emergency Response Cynthia Costello
    Inspection and Enforcement Robert Snyder

  • Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation

    Acting Director - Steven Bates, P.E.
    Special Assistant to the Director - Krista Anders, Ph.D.

    518 402-7860
    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. Staff also conduct exposure investigations as part of the state's Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative.

    The Bureau has four sections and two units:

    Metro Joe Crua
    Southern Charlotte Bethoney
    Northern Richard Fedigan
    Central Geoffrey Laccetti
    ATSDR Unit Donald Miles
    Reporting & Management Unit Kate McLaughlin

NYSDOH Regional and Field Structure

District Offices carry out environmental health protection programs in the 21 counties that do not deliver environmental health services through county health departments. They ensure that suitable water, food, housing and recreational facilities are provided to the public. The District Offices identify, investigate and resolve actual and potential health hazards caused by environmental factors. Regional Offices provide technical and program support, as well as monitor and evaluate implementation of environmental health protection programs in District Offices and local health departments within the regional jurisdiction.

Telephone numbers for regional, district, county and city health departments are listed below.

  • Western Region (Buffalo, Rochester)
    585 423-8072

    Regional Environmental Health Program Director - Ralph Van Houten

    Geneva District Office
    (Ontario, Wayne, Yates)    		 Nicholas Rich, Director 315 789-3030
    Hornell District Office
    (Steuben, Schuyler)    		 Thomas Klaseus, Director 607 324-8371
    • Allegany: 585 268-9254
    • Cattaraugus: 716 373-8050
    • Chautauqua: 716 753-4769
    • Chemung: 607 737-2019
    • Erie: 716 961-6800
    • Genesee: 585 344-2580
    • Livingston: 585 243-7280
    • Monroe: 585 753-5564
    • Niagara: 716 439-7444
    • Orleans: 585 589-3250
    • Seneca: 315 539-1925
    • Wyoming: 585 786-8894

  • Central Region (Syracuse)
    315 477-8150

    Acting Regional Environmental Health Program Director - John Strepelis, P.E., M.E.

    Canton District Office
    (St. Lawrence)    		 Bruce Stone, Director 315 386-1040
    Watertown District Office
    (Jefferson, Lewis)    		 Sheri Palmer, Director 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: 315 349-3557
    • Tioga: 607 687-8565
    • Tompkins: 607 274-6688

  • Capital Region (Troy)
    518 408-5396

    Regional Environmental Health Program Director - Dennis Croswell

    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)    		 Audrey Lewis, Director 607 432-3911
    Saranac Lake District Office
    (Essex, Franklin, Hamilton)    		 Jules Callaghan, Director 518 891-1800
    • Albany: 518 447-4620
    • Clinton: 518 565-4870
    • Columbia: 518 828-3358
    • Rensselaer: 518 270-2632
    • Schenectady: 518 386-2818
    • Schoharie: 518 295-8382

  • Metropolitan Region (New York City)
    212 417-4100

    Regional Environmental Health Program Director - Brian Devine

    Located in Monticello District Office 845 794-2045
    New Rochelle Field Office 914 654-7000
    Central Islip Field Office 631 851-3639
    Monticello District Office
    (Sullivan)    		 Michael Duffy, Acting Director 845 794-2045
    • Dutchess: 845 486-3404
    • Nassau: 516 227-9723
    • Orange: 845 291-2331
    • Putnam: 845 808-1390
    • Rockland: 845 364-2608
    • Suffolk: 631 852-5800
    • Ulster: 845 340-3010
    • Westchester: 914 813-5171

  • New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
    212 639-9675 or 311 within NYC