The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

Top Story 

Healthy Happenings

Michael

Environmental Health and Safety Department Bi-Annual Newsletter

NYCHA established its Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) to promote a safer, healthier community for residents and staff alike. The EHS team has been working hard to foster a decent, safe, and sanitary environment for all members of the NYCHA community, a mission that includes supporting, educating, and advocating for NYCHA residents.

The EHS team includes well-trained experts in mold, lead, indoor air quality, pests, heating, elevators, and employee and fire safety. This dedicated team of specialists wants to make a significant positive impact on the health and safety of all NYCHA residents and employees.

This is how EHS is working to improve conditions at NYCHA:

Field oversight – Through field inspections and observing staff on the job, EHS identifies any unsafe practices and standard procedure or regulatory violations and provides immediate guidance to NYCHA staff, contractors, and vendors. Improvements – From its investigations and direct observations, EHS makes recommendations on how to improve health and safety at NYCHA, working closely with Authority leadership and development staff in the process. Advocacy – EHS advocates for residents who report EHS issues that have not been addressed. Education – Using various communication channels, EHS provides information on EHS issues that impact our residents and employees.

In partnership with NYCHA’s Resident Engagement Department, EHS will continue to provide you with information on topics that impact the safety of your apartment and development.

We look forward to continuing to partner with you to improve safety conditions in your home, and please look out for additional information and communications from us!

Regards,

Patrick O’Hagan

Submit a Concern

EHS encourages NYCHA residents to report any unaddressed, previously reported safety conditions by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 (select menu option 7, then option 3) or by visiting on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.

Meet the Environmental Hazards Unit

The Environmental Hazards Unit (EHU) is responsible for the oversight of activities that can potentially impact the health and safety of residents and staff, such as pest control, lead-based paint, mold, and asbestos, to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. In addition, EHU investigates complaints from residents and employees regarding these hazards.

Indoor Air Quality Oversight Team – Ensures the safety of NYCHA residents and employees from Indoor Air Quality health hazards.

  • Ensures NYCHA staff are properly remediating and controlling mold in residents’ apartments.
  • Conducts oversight of mold and asbestos remediation projects.
  • Performs Indoor Air Quality investigations for complaints regarding dust, smoke, and ventilation.

Lead Oversight Team – Performs field oversight of various lead-based paint activities to ensure that work is completed in compliance with regulatory requirements and NYCHA’s Lead Safe Housing Standard Procedure.

  • Observes NYCHA personnel and vendors while they are performing lead renovation, repair, and painting (RRP); abatement work; visual assessments; and dust wipe clearance examinations.
  • Inspects development storerooms to ensure RRP supplies are present.
  • Verifies that the lead disclosure documents are properly maintained in the development management office.

Integrated Pest Management Oversight Team – Conducts oversight of pest mitigation and extermination measures to ensure conformity with best practices, existing standard procedures, and the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

  • Conducts oversight inspections of staff providing pest management services and also performs post inspections of these services to ensure that the best practices were used.
  • Analyzes all aspects of pest control throughout the Authority to identify trends and make recommendations.
  • Provides guidance to property managers, the Pest Control Department, and exterminators.

DO YOU KNOW…

For every 1 human on this planet, there are an estimated 200 million insects. We are outnumbered, but thankfully we are not outmaneuvered. The science behind pest control is ever-evolving as the insects and rodents we encounter evolve at a faster rate. It was easy enough in the last century to create pesticides so potent that insects would die if they encountered it years later, but the real modern challenge has been to develop pesticides and strategies to keep pests away and not cause harm to residents, employees, and the environment.


Resident Actions

There are many steps that residents can take to reduce the pests in their apartment and development:

  • Be aware of the pests that you see, and do not be afraid to call for help. There is no need to be embarrassed because of an infestation. In fact, the sooner you call,
    the sooner we can manage the problem.
  • Keep your surroundings clean and organized.
  • Do not treat your own apartment. Even if there is a wait for an exterminator to come to your home, be patient and avoid purchasing over-the-counter pesticides. By reporting the pest and allowing an inspection, we can see trends in buildings with certain pests.

By working together, we can reduce and successfully manage the pest populations at NYCHA.

Preparing for treatment

If you are aware of any roach/rodent infestation, prepare for the exterminator’s visit by doing the following:

  • Remove/move any clutter, furnishings, or objects that may interfere with the exterminator’s ability to perform an assessment and treatment in your
    apartment.
  • Empty and wash all kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, closets, and areas under sinks.
  • Cover all open pots, pans, and food containers; move any washing machines away from the wall.
  • Empty clothes closets or linen closets if roaches are seen.

For more information on IPM and pest control at NYCHA, click here. To report pests, please call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or use the MyNYCHA app or website.

Author of the Newsletter Title

A special congratulations to Christian Silva of the Fire Safety Oversight Team as the winner of the EHS Newsletter Name contest. His entry, ‘Health Happenings’ exemplifies the role EHS strives to achieve with NYCHA residents and employees. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this contest a success!

EHS INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGNS

Fire Safety Tips

https://nychajournal.nyc/fire-safety-tips/

Poison Awareness

https://nychajournal.nyc/national-poison-prevention-week-safety-tips/

Asthma/Allergy Awareness

https://nychajournal.nyc/may-is-asthma-allergy-awareness-month/

Unregistered Pesticides

https://nychajournal.nyc/important-alert-from-the-epa-about-unregistered-pesticides/

Elevator Safety Tips

http://nychanow.nyc/meet-nychas-elevator-oversight-team/

Lead Safety Information

https://nychajournal.nyc/meet-nychas-lead-oversight-team/