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Dear Maricela,
The Center has been buzzing with study visits the last few months since we secured funding from the National Institutes of Health, NIHS, for the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. ECHO combines observational and intervention research to answer big questions about how influences on early human development—even before conception—affect us throughout our lives and across generations.
This July we celebrated the recruitment of over 400 new study participants by the Center's ECHO Research team. Connecting with the community, doing the outreach needed to sustain and build on our research is no easy task. It requires the perseverance, dedication and finesse of a great research team.
In recognition of the ECHO team's success, the Center hosted the ECHO 400 Milestone Celebration.
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ECHO STUDY MILESTONE CELEBRATION | |
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We also had the opportunity to share information about our work directly with Dr. Ana Navas-Acien, the new Chair of the Columbia University Environmental Health Science Department who visited with us. After her interactions with all Center staff she stated, ... "the Center is an EHS jewel, thank you for sharing information about your work with me..."
Dr. Julie Herbstman's, CCCEH Director acknowledged the team's work with these kind words,
"Just wanted to thank you all again for a really fun event today and for all the information you shared with Ana during her "walk around". I continue to be so inspired by your dedication, commitment to the study, and energy to give back and support the study participants and community. I feel so lucky to be working with such an amazing team. Very happy we had the chance to celebrate a bit today--looking forward to the next milestone! "
Thank you Dr. Herbstman and Dr. Navas-Acien!
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We recently celebrated our friend and colleague Boris Cortés on the June newsletter for passing his registered nurse licensing exam and serving as an inspiration. This month “Our Staff Spotlight” will be dedicated to Boris.
Boris has worked at the Center for over 17 years as the point person in charge of biospecimen and tissue collection. During this time, his contribution to the Center’s research and Columbia’s Environmental Health Science Department research has been noteworthy.
It was his availability and work ethic that helped collect thousands of samples which would serve as the evidence needed to document the environmental pollutants and toxic chemicals affecting children’s environmental health. From the unpredictability of collecting placenta samples after our study participants gave birth to the planned early morning home visits to collect the first urine sample of the day- Boris was there, ready to go.
At the Center, we, his friends and colleagues have always benefitted from his kindness, words of support and wisdom. He has always been there for fellow staff as they managed challenging times. We often call him “Doctor” or “Dr. Boris” honoring his calling and his commitment to healing. (He is a medical doctor in the Dominican Republic).
Boris has never stopped contributing to the community as he has served as tutor, mentor and guide to other immigrants interested in pursuing medical careers here in the United States. As a member of the New York Dominican Medical Association, he has received multiple awards and recognition for his service to the community.
Even as Boris prepares to move on in his career, he conducted one last training for CCCEH staff in art of placenta collection. Boris showed staff how to cut snippets of the placenta and place them into the test tube to take accurate samples. Staff were very excited to learn how to take placenta samples from the master. Thank you Boris for sharing your expertise once again!
We are proud to have worked with Boris and with mixed emotions, we are overjoyed that he will be starting his new nursing career at Lincoln Hospital and sad that we will not share in his company every day as we have for so many years.
BEST WISHES & "ADELANTE"!
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Switching from Gas to Electric Stoves Cuts Indoor Air Pollution:
Misbath Daouda, Annie Carforo, Heather Miller, Jennifer Ventrella, Yu Ann Tan, Michelle Feliciano, Jessica Tryner, Andrew Hallward-Driemeier, Steve Chillrud, Roisin Commane, Diana Hernández, Michael Johnson, Darby Jack
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Switching from a gas stove to an electric induction stove can reduce indoor nitrogen dioxide air pollution, a known health hazard, by more than 50 percent according to new research led by scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The findings appear in the journal Energy Research & Social Science.
The study was carried out as part of a pilot project titled “Out of Gas, In with Justice” led by Northern Manhattan-based nonprofit WE ACT for Environmental Justice. The pilot is the first to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of transitioning from gas to induction stoves in affordable housing. The study is the first to evaluate the effects of residential cooking electrification in a public housing setting in the U.S.
The study comes as New York City passed a law in 2023 that will ban gas-powered heaters, cooking stoves, and water boilers in all new buildings to meet climate goals.
Read Full Press Release
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First Study to Measure Toxic Metals in Tampons Shows Arsenic and Lead, Among Other Contaminants:
Jenni A. Shearston, Kristen Upson, Milo Gordon, Vivian Do, Olgica Balac, Khue Nguyen, Beizhan Yan, Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, Kathrin Schilling
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Tampons from several brands that potentially millions of people use each month can contain toxic metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium, a new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and UC Berkeley has found.
Tampons are of particular concern as a potential source of exposure to chemicals, including metals, because the skin of the vagina has a higher potential for chemical absorption than skin elsewhere on the body.
“Although toxic metals are ubiquitous and we are exposed to low levels at any given time, our study clearly shows that metals are also present in menstrual products and that women might be at higher risk for exposure using these products,” said study co-author Kathrin Schilling, assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer. They can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. In addition, metals can harm maternal health and fetal development.
Read Full Press Release
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CCCEH
Summer Intern Placements Continue
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Emmy Sale is a rising senior at the Bronx High School of Science. Last summer, she was a summer intern at CCCEH, where she learned about different environmental issues, such as pollutants, lead, and flame retardants, and their effects on young children. This summer, Emmy is looking into the arsenic content in baby rice cereal.
In her free time, she plays soccer, and lacrosse, runs track, and participates in Public Forum - Speech and Debate.
She is also involved in the Biology Research Program. Emmy loves animals and has two dogs and two cats.
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Lela Tu will enter her senior year at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY this fall. Due to her interest in science, she has pursued additional courses that have expanded her understanding of the brain and neuroscience.
These courses include Columbia’s Summer Immersion Program for Pre-college Students, where Lela was introduced to neuroscience. She continues to take courses in neuro science and psychobiology.
Outside of academics, Lela is actively involved in athletics. She plays soccer and lacrosse for her school and participates in lacrosse year-round outside of school.
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Justin is a rising sophomore at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology, pursuing a major in Human Development with a pre-medical focus.
This summer, Justin secured a position with the Center for Children's Environmental Health through the Summer Youth Experience program at New York-Presbyterian. He anticipates this opportunity will provide valuable insights aligned with his academic and career interests.
Justin's journey in the medical field began with his participation in the New York Presbyterian Lang Youth Medical Program at the Uptown hub. Allowing him to develop professionally over six years. Inspired by this experience, he has dedicated himself to gaining extensive hands-on experience in medicine.
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Identifying Popular Children's Rice-Based Products | |
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This summer, Emmy Sale, Justin Taveras and Lela Tu walked throughout Washington Heights and the South Bronx collecting baby rice products as part of the Arsenic and Baby Rice Products study led by Emmy Sale. The interns visited different supermarkets and community stores. Baby products with rice ranged from infant formula to puffs.
As they walked to different markets they dropped in at local pediatric clinics and the public library to way to secure locations for the interns, Lela and Justin to conduct their educational sessions in the community.
Stay tuned for the study findings and more.
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Presentations at Pediatric Clinics | |
On Monday the 22nd of July interns Grace Camarrata and Justin Taveras visited Pediatrics 2000 at 135 Haven Ave to inform parents about Pesticide Safety and Air Pollution. The work will continue throughout the summer to inform the community and protect children's environmental health. Thank you to Pediatrics 2000 for helping our interns engage with the community! | |
Internship & Practicum Work Continued | |
Left to Right: Dr. Ronald Glabonjat, interns Manuela Montoya, Grace Cammarata, Justin Taveras, Emmy Sale, and Practicum Students Mufei Guo and Chia Yi Lin. | Thank you to Ronald Glabonjat for the tour and Kathrin Schilling, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Metals Lab Director for coordinating the visit for our CCCEH Summer Interns. | |
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The interns visited the EHS Metals lab and received a tour by Ronald Glabonjat, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences. Dr. Glabonjat described the lab equipment and ongoing projects. This introduction exposed all interns to the laboratory component of scientific research and the many steps and process that occur in the lab to understand how metals may impact health.
MPH Practicum students, Chi-Yi Lin, and Mufei Guo learned about work that was done at the lab to produce the Arsenic and Rice Study findings. They are now involved in developing the report back documents for the study participants.
Interns Justin Taveras and Emmy Sale will be involved in the coming weeks as the Arsenic and Baby Rice Products are assessed.
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Report Back Team Meetings | |
Arsenic & Rice Team preparing for the meeting. | |
Community Outreach and Baby Rice Products & Arsenic Team bonding. | | |
On Thursdays, the CCCEH holds weekly report-back meetings with their interns and practicum students to understand the ongoing work and provide supportive feedback. These meetings facilitate communication among interns and staff. They serve as a platform for brainstorming, mutual education on current projects, and fostering collaboration among team members. | Bottom Right around table: Emme Weisenfeld, Emmy Sale, Justin Taveras, Chia-Yi (Julia) Lin,Mufei Guo Anabel Cole, Dr. Marcela Tamayo y Oritz, Manuela Montoya, Zihan (William) Zhao, not in picture but present Dr. Julie Herbstman, Lela Tu & Maricela Ureño | | |
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Help us create a world in which every child has a healthy start.
The Center’s research is powering action to reduce the impacts of climate change, air pollution, and toxic chemicals on children and families.
Your support is yielding both immediate and long-term benefits to children’s health today and in the future. Your gift will protect the gains that we have achieved together.
We hope you will make a tax-free gift donation to the Center in order to continue this important work.
With Gratitude
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Julie Herbstman, PhD
Director, Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Frederica P. Perera, DrPH, PhD
Director of Translational Research and Founding Director
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
mailman.columbia.edu/ccceh
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