The Environment and Your Health
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Health can be affected by the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and contact with harmful substances or activities. Environmental health is the branch of public health that focuses on the relationship between people and their environment. Public health professionals at the Center for Environmental Health work to help New Yorkers reduce their health risk from harmful substances in the air, water, soil, and food and provide people with healthier and safer environments.
Learn more about exposure: how the physical environment can affect health.
Quick Links
Injury Prevention and Worker Safety
Address illness and injury at work and prevent injuries at home from falls, vehicles and traffic, violence and self-harm, and more.
Drinking Water
Check out New York State’s efforts to protect drinking water.
Food Safety
Learn about food safety at restaurants and how to prevent food-related illness.
Lead Poisoning
Take steps to stop lead poisoning, which continues to be a major health risk, especially to children.
Chemicals
Explore resources about chemicals, sources of exposure, and their health effects.
Radon
Learn when to test for radon, how to find certified testers, and how to fix a radon problem.
Extreme Weather and Safety
Reduce your risk of extreme heat, extreme cold, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Indoor and Outdoor Air
Learn how to improve indoor air quality and what to do when outdoor air is unhealthy.
About Us
Explore the Center for Environmental Health Directory, find your local health department, and order publications.
Community Investigations and Research
Find reports and learn more about the State Health Department's response to local environmental concerns in New York State.
