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.

Environmental Health & Safety Department
Health & Safety Top Story 

Read “Healthy Happenings,” the EHS Newsletter

Michael

Message from the Environmental Health & Safety Officer

Greetings from the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department!

Summer is approaching, and the EHS team wants to make sure you and your family can enjoy it safely!

Our mission is to ensure that all NYCHA residents have a decent, safe, and sanitary environment. In this newsletter, we highlight the best ways to protect yourself and your family from heat-related illnesses, how to locate a cooling center in your community, and how to use the Air Quality Index to determine when it’s best to participate in outdoor activities.

With people enjoying the outdoors more in the warmer months, EHS would also like to take this opportunity to note that everyone plays a part in keeping their community clean and safe – to that end, please review this information on proper trash disposal, including for pet waste.

As always, residents, employees, and any member of the public can submit environmental health and safety concerns via on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.

If you have questions about this or any environmental health and safety matter, please email ehs@nycha.nyc.gov.

Wishing you a great summer!

Patrick O’Hagan, NYCHA’s Environmental, Health and Safety Officer

Heat Stress

When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from heat-related illnesses if their body’s temperature control system becomes overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but in certain conditions this is sometimes not possible. When the temperature and humidity are high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Here are some other factors that can limit the ability to regulate temperature:

  • Old age
  • Youth (0-4 years)
  • Obesity
  • Fever
  • Dehydration
  • Heart disease
  • Mental illness
  • Poor circulation
  • Sunburn
  • Prescription drugs
  • Alcohol use

Recognizing the Signs of a Heat-Related Illness:

Heat illness

As the weather gets warmer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends preventing heat-related illnesses by:

Staying Cool

  • Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Stay cool indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a store or public library — even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
    • You can also visit a cooling center. New York City opens cooling centers when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory with a forecasted heat index of 95 degrees or higher for two or more days or 100 degrees for any period. Cooling centers are in air-conditioned facilities that offer relief from the heat, such as libraries and senior and community centers. You can find a local cooling center near your development, including those that welcome pets, by contacting 311 or clicking here.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully: Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.
  • Pace yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
  • Wear sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down. Put on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going out and continue to reapply it according to the package directions.

Staying Hydrated

  • Drink plenty of fluids: Drink fluids, at least every 15 to 20 minutes, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
  • Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
  • Keep your pets hydrated: Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets and leave the water in a shaded area.

Stay Informed

Check your local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips, and sign up for free emergency alerts from Notify NYC.

High temp on thermometer

Using the Air Quality Index (AQI) to Protect Your family

The Air Quality Index (AQI), which can be heard on radio and TV weather reports or found online, is a tool that tells you when high levels of air pollution, including ground-level ozone and particle pollution, are expected. Try checking it when you’re planning your daily activities.

Air Quality Index

The AQI measures five major pollutants:

  • Ground-level ozone (smoke, particle pollution)
  • Particle pollution/particle matter (dust, dirt, soot, drops of liquids)
  • Carbon monoxide (an odorless and colorless gas)
  • Sulfur dioxide (a colorless gas with an irritating, pungent odor)
  • Nitrogen dioxide (gets in the air mainly from the burning of fuel)

Groups that may be more sensitive to these air pollutants:

  • People with heart or respiratory conditions, such as asthma or COPD
  • People who are immunocompromised
  • Older adults
  • People who are pregnant
  • Infants and children (especially young children) with heart or respiratory conditions or who are immunocompromised
  • People with social vulnerabilities, such as lack of access to safe housing or health care, lack of transportation, and other protective factors

The CDC and the NYC Health Department recommend the following when the AQI is not optimal:

  • If you are feeling the effects from poor air quality like watery eyes, scratchy throat, or difficulty breathing, consider spending more time indoors.
  • Keep windows closed when you are indoors.
  • Very hot weather can be more dangerous than poor air quality. If it is hot outside, make sure you find a cool indoor space. If you don’t have AC, try to move to a public air-conditioned place like a library, or visit a friend or family with home AC, or locate a cooling center in your community.
  • If possible, use an air purifier and set it at the highest level.
  • If you must go outdoors, remember to wear high-quality masks (N-95 or KN-95) which can reduce smoke exposure.
  • Choose easier outdoor activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
  • Plan outdoor activities at times when ozone levels are lower (usually in the morning and evening).

Keeping the Community Clean

Trash Disposal

Here are some reminders regarding proper trash disposal that will foster a safer environment for NYCHA residents and staff alike:

  • Use the trash chutes or the designed trash location at your development.
  • Do not put bulk items in the trash chutes. These items can cause fires and make it difficult for employees to service the compactors.
  • Follow the instructions on the recycling signage posted at your development. You can also visit this webpage for guidance.
Trash bins
  • Trash should not be thrown out of windows. Employees can be harmed while working on the grounds at the development and this can attract unwanted visitors such as rodents. 

Pet Ownership Responsibility

Having a pet helps people feel less alone, provides laughter and comfort, and encourages people to exercise by going outside. We welcome pets at NYCHA, but we also have rules to foster a safe environment for all. Here are some important reminders if you own a dog or cat:

  • Residents must meet all applicable New York City pet registration requirements.
    •  New York City requires dogs to be registered and licensed and wear two tags around the neck – a NYC license tag and stainless steel NYCHA dog tag.
    •  Dogs must be vaccinated and neutered or spayed and registered with NYCHA.
  • Cats must be registered with NYCHA.
  • Residents must secure their pet when NYCHA staff visit their apartment for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, apartment inspections and maintenance appointments. The pet must be secured for the duration of the visit so that it cannot roam freely and interfere with staff. Ways to secure a pet include:
    • Keeping the pet in a separate room or in an animal cage away from NYCHA staff.
    • Having a household member physically hold the pet.
    • Restraining the pet on a leash not more than six feet in length.
  • Residents who own a dog must pick up their dog’s solid waste and dispose of it in a proper outdoor trash receptacle, as required under the City of New York’s Canine Waste Law.
Girl with dog

NYCHA residents and staff can report violations of the pet policy by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or their property management office. Call 911 to report a vicious or threatening animal causing an immediate danger or hazardous condition.