Journal of Environmental Health最新文献

{"title":"International Investigation of Lead and Chromium Contamination in Imported Apple Puree.","authors":"Natalie Cataldo, Brett D Weed, Kailey Lewis, Margaret Kirchner, Katherine Arnold, Larry Michael, Arthur Chang, Johnni H Daniel, Scott Shone, Lauren Yeung, Julia Mangia, Alyssa Troeschel, Juan Morales, Kevin M Kubachka, Mark Witkowski, Lawrence Schaufler, Eileen Abt, Scott Pauley, Perri Ruckart, Michael Yeh, Trina L Williams, Patrick Gray, Daniel Hurt, Monique Salter, Michele Howard, Stic Harris","doi":"10.70387/001c.164879","DOIUrl":"10.70387/001c.164879","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In October 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was notified about four children in North Carolina who had high blood lead levels that were associated with consumption of apple cinnamon fruit puree from pouches. FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state and local partners, launched an international investigation into the source of lead contamination. FDA received 90 consumer complaints from 32 states, while CDC identified 556 cases of high blood lead levels with a variety of symptoms in 44 states. Novel laboratory methods were developed to identify the specific contaminant: lead chromate. Testing of products produced in Ecuador found lead concentrations 100- to 600-times above the FDA action level. The traceback investigation identified a cinnamon processor as the likely source of the contaminant. The investigation found that the lead and chromium in the apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches were likely due to lead chromate found in the ground cinnamon. The investigation led to the recall of these apple puree products and enhanced surveillance of cinnamon. The findings highlight the potential for children to be exposed to toxic elements from nontraditional sources and could help inform blood lead investigations in children.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"89 1","pages":"20-27"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13403189/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148603990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diarrhea and Swimming Still Don't Mix.","authors":"Jasen Kunz, Joseph P Laco","doi":"10.70387/001c.161612","DOIUrl":"10.70387/001c.161612","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The National Environmental Health Association strives to provide up-to-date and relevant information on environmental health and to build partnerships in the profession. In pursuit of these goals, we periodically feature columns on environmental health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the <i>Journal</i>. In these columns, authors from CDC's Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services Branch, as well as guest authors, will share tools, resources, and guidance for environmental health practitioners. The conclusions in this column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of CDC. CDR Jasen Kunz is the healthy water lead in the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch at CDC. CDR Joseph Laco leads recreational water initiatives at the National Center for Environmental Health within CDC.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"88 9","pages":"44-45"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13588540/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149008658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms and Health: Awareness, Behaviors, Perceptions, and Communication Preferences Among U.S. Adults.","authors":"Amy Jacobi, Candace Rutt, Bria Berry, Abigail Cadua Mariani, Sharanya Thummalapally, Tola Aina","doi":"10.70387/001c.158592","DOIUrl":"10.70387/001c.158592","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a growing health risk for children, adults, and their dogs. To inform more effective illness prevention strategies, this study examined awareness, behaviors, perceptions, and communication preferences related to health and HABs. Four focus groups were conducted in March 2024 with U.S. adults who frequent freshwater bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers) for recreation. Focus group participants, who included dog owners and parents of children or teenagers, reported moderate awareness of HABs and perceived low personal risk from HAB exposure. When deciding if to enter bodies of water, most individuals relied on sensory cues more than official recommendations such as water advisories. In general, participants reported trusting officials and following water advisories if they saw them. They preferred timely information that described HABs using simple terms and information available through multiple channels. Public health practitioners can consider the insights we gained from the focus group participants to inform future audience research, HAB risk communication, and illness prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"88 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13055578/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing Public Health Jurisdictional Use of the Model Aquatic Health Code From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: A Mixed-Methods Approach.","authors":"Jasen Kunz, Pallavi Kache, Samaria Aluko-Estrella, Joseph P Laco, Brian Hubbard, Vincent Hill, Raquel Sabogal, Rhiannon Nez, Bailey Collette, Amy Freeland, Candace Rutt","doi":"10.70387/001c.164877","DOIUrl":"10.70387/001c.164877","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides scientifically based recommendations that state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health partners can use to ensure healthy and safe experiences in public aquatic venues. Our study aimed to characterize MAHC use and implementation and identify facilitators and barriers to MAHC use across STLT jurisdictions. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining a web-based survey with virtual focus groups that included public health professionals from STLT health departments working on aquatic venue safety, regulation, and inspection. In total, 88 participants from 35 STLT health departments completed the survey that was distributed to 13,887 recipients via CDC-administered and nongovernmental listservs. In total, 47 (53%) respondents reported using the MAHC to justify existing code, 34 (39%) to provide guidance for sections not covered in their code, and 31 (35%) to grant code exceptions. Further, 13 (15%) respondents reported they frequently incorporate or have adopted the MAHC in full, and 34 (39%) reported they do not incorporate the MAHC but are considering incorporating the MAHC into code. Facilitators to MAHC use included the need for updated regulations, political will, and collaboration. Barriers included slow regulatory processes, resource constraints, and insufficient staff training. MAHC users indicated that an up-to-date MAHC provides flexibility for jurisdictions to adopt or reference it to best fit jurisdictional needs. Overall, MAHC use varies, and a multifactorial approach beyond code adoption might be needed to measure MAHC use. Moreover, implementation and adoption tracking support could improve MAHC use. Respondents generally agreed that the MAHC should be kept up-to-date, but that future update cycles could extend beyond every 3 years.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"89 1","pages":"8-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13588539/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149008571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development, Evaluation, and Long-Term Outcomes of Environmental Health and Land Reuse Training, Part 2-Environmental Health and Land Reuse Trainings for Environmental Health Professionals: Long-Term Follow-Up.","authors":"Laurel Berman, Sharon Unkart, Michael Lewin, Rebecca Labbo, Huda Shareef, Dawnovise Fowler","doi":"10.70387/001c.144001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.70387/001c.144001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article provides a brief overview of participant feedback on the Environmental Health and Land Reuse (EHLR) Classroom Training up to 12 months post-training. The goal was to assess the effectiveness of the EHLR training over time as related to specific outcomes. The outcomes included increasing capacity to engage communities around land reuse concerns, evaluating and communicating environmental and health risks, redesigning communities to improve health, and assessing the ability to measure environmental and health change over the course of community redevelopment. To assess long-term impacts of the training, within 12 months post-training, we repeated initial knowledge assessment questions answered immediately post-training. We also asked participants to specify if there were any aspects of the training that were most useful to them. The survey response rate among participants who completed all five training modules was 22%. The majority of respondents indicated that the training was effective and useful over the long term. While the response rate was low, the clustering of responses to similar prompts from the initial and long-term knowledge assessments indicated that survey respondents found the training effective and useful. Responses indicated that the training provided new knowledge, increased participant confidence to engage in EHLR topics, and motivated participants to learn more.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"88 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13693854/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149268660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Building Capacity Nationwide for Environmental Health and Protecting Communities from Harmful Chemical Exposures.","authors":"Zheng Li, Alan Yarbrough, Angela Ragin-Wilson, Christopher Reh","doi":"10.70387/001c.133854","DOIUrl":"10.70387/001c.133854","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"87 8","pages":"36-39"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067556/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Church Jetted Baptismal Font Linked to Legionellosis Outbreak-Tennessee, 2023.","authors":"Christine M Thomas, Dilani Goonewardene, Julie Schuman, Jennifer Kmet, Lisa Sentiff, Yolanda Woods, Emma Roth, Jane Yackley, Ariana Allgood, Brielle Conway, Veneda Jordan, Brian Sally, Erica Terrell, Timothy F Jones, William Schaffner, Mary-Margaret A Fill, John R Dunn","doi":"10.70387/001c.133851","DOIUrl":"10.70387/001c.133851","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In May 2023, the Shelby County Health Department identified a legionellosis outbreak among attendees of the same church. Epidemiologic, environmental, and laboratory investigations were initiated. Laboratory-based surveillance identified persons with a positive <i>Legionella</i> test result. Church attendees were surveyed about attendance, symptoms of legionellosis, and water exposures. Environmental assessment of the church included asking about recent water management practices and collecting samples from water sources for culture. The health department identified 16 church attendees who had legionellosis symptoms. Of these, 9 (56%) had positive laboratory test results for <i>Legionella pneumophila</i>, 7 were hospitalized, and none died. Our investigation revealed that recent changes in water management practices at the church included renewed operation of a large, jetted baptismal font. In all, 17 environmental samples were collected; of these samples, 5 (including 4 from the baptismal font) had <i>L. pneumophila</i> serogroup 1 isolated by culture. Environmental sampling was crucial in identifying the baptismal font as the likely source of <i>L. pneumophila</i>. Education about water management and remediation recommendations were provided to staff at the church.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"87 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12067422/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143969528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigating Community-Engaged Research to Understand How Drought Affects Water Quality.","authors":"Nicholas Stoll, Francesca Macaluso, Christine Canaly, Katherine A James","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Community-engaged research (CEnR) is becoming more prevalent in environmental health. With a spectrum of community involvement characterizing this research, it has the potential to foster a diverse set of collaborative dynamics. Our research team has facilitated a regional CEnR effort focusing on the effects of drought driven by climate change. Specifically, the CEnR is focusing on regional water quality by analyzing samples from privately owned groundwater wells and examining the samples for heavy metal contaminants. This special report outlines lessons learned and project management strategies used to facilitate large-scale community-engaged environmental science. Recruitment methods evolved in response to obstacles and included direct mailings, listservs and social media promotion, direct recruitment by local leaders, and local newspaper coverage. Participant onboarding evolved as new recruitment methods were implemented but was standardized to achieve process efficiency. External data sources were used to align contextual information of sampled wells to the submitted samples. Open-source tools were used to streamline reporting of results to participants. Scalability, project management, bidirectional involvement with community members and organizations, and accountability are important themes to consider when facilitating environmental CEnR.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"87 2","pages":"14-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12998482/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147486268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PFAS Information for Clinicians From ATSDR.","authors":"Capt Arthur Wendel, Linda Hansen, Aaron Bernstein","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"86 10","pages":"32-34"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12087759/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144101921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rebuilding Caribbean Environmental Health Post-Crisis Programs: A Preliminary Study for Virtual Mentorship.","authors":"Roseann DeVito, Elizabeth Landeen, David Dyjack, Rebecca Labbo, Gagandeep Gill, Justin Gerding, Martin A Kalis, Scott Daly, Raymond Lopez, Chintan Somaiya, Sukhdeep Chera, Christine Vanover, Lindsay Fahnestock, Manjit Randhawa","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After the hurricanes in 2017 in the U.S. Caribbean, it was essential to rebuild, strengthen, and sustain essential environmental health (EH) services and systems. The National Environmental Health Association, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developed an online mentorship program for newly hired and existing EH staff and health department leadership in Caribbean health departments. Participants were provided with both practical and didactic learning and were allowed to evaluate the program. Both mentors and mentees were highly satisfied with the knowledge and skills acquired, and mentees expressed it was relevant to their daily work. Based on the findings, we recommend both an online and a hybrid mentorship program for leadership- and inspector-level workforces in EH and potentially in other fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":15713,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Health","volume":"86 6","pages":"8-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11261588/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141748319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}