The Environment and Your Health

gardening, worker, filling water glass

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 and Health

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.

Environmental Health Topics

Environmental Public Health Tracker logo

Environmental Public Health Tracker

Track Community Environmental & Health Reports.

View information about environmental investigations in your neighborhood.

Information for Consumers

Information for Water Supply Professionals

Information for Consumers

Information for Food Service Operators