Division of Environmental Health Protection

Michael Cambridge, DirectorDecember 18, 2012

Center for Environmental Health

We moved August 2012:•Same phone number and email•New Address:

Empire State PlazaCorning Tower, RoomAlbany, New York 12237

CEH UpdatesCapital Area Environmental Health Program

Formerly part of the Capital District Regional Office (CDRO)

Environmental Health Staff Consolidated with CEH Environmental Health Program Oversight of DOs & LHDs

Information Systems & Technology UnitCEH IT Staff Transferred to NYS Office of Information of

Technology Services (ITS) Effective 11/22/12CEH IT Staff Still Housed in Tower and Supporting CEH

Technology NeedsCenter Directory

Updated CEH Directory printed for distribution 12/18/12

Training Updates Fall 2012 Basic Environmental Health Program

(BEHP) Preparedness Module Rescheduled for January 9, 2013 BEHP Certificates to be Distributed Upon Course Completion

Sanitary Survey (SS) Courses Ground Water SS Course Rescheduled for March 18 & 19, 2013 Surface Water SS Course Rescheduled for March 20 & 21,

2013 Reconvene the BEHP Advisory Committee

Work with CEHD Training Committee Discuss BEHP Course Delivery, Training Needs & Emerging

Issues Training Needs Survey

Targeted for 2013

DEC Brochure“Be Green in the Great Lakes”

A Great Lakes Restoration Project funded by EPAAddresses Land Care & Pest Management

PracticesTargets those New York Counties bordering and

within drainage basins for Great LakesLocal Health Departments in target areas are

invited to order additional copies for availability at their offices

Back of brochure includes information for ordering additional copies through the NYS DEC

Program UpdatesTobacco EnforcementIndoor TanningBody Art – Body Piercing and Tattooing

Lead Poisoning PreventionElectronic Inspections

Year 14 Highlights

• 20, 232 registered retailers

• Over 46,000 compliance investigations• 1808 sales to minors• Retailer Non-compliance rate 4.99%• $1.52 million in fines assessed

• 274 DTF Suspensions • 91 lottery license suspensions

Number of tobacco retailers registered with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Slide on Synar – state vs national

Facility Type**Number of Compliance

Checks with Minor Number of Sales to

Minor Sale to Minor Violation Rate by Facility Type

Grocery Supermarket 9715 738 7.6%

Convenience Gas 7244 199 2.7%

Convenience Store 6029 220 3.6%

Delicatessen 4356 278 6.4%

Pharmacy 3672 132 3.6%

Gas Station 1124 47 4.2%

Stationary Store 962 18 1.9%

Tobacco Retail 844 60 7.1%

Stand 572 50 8.7%

Liquor/Beverage Store 475 13 2.7%

Discount Store 420 15 3.6%

Other 344 17 4.9%

Restaurant 322 24 7.5%

Bar/Lounge 106 2 1.9%

Temporary Residence 16 0 0.0%

Totals 36201 1813 5.0%

* Vending machines are not included    

** Facility types as identified by local health departments.  

New York State Tobacco Retailers* Sale to Minor Violation Rate by Facility Type

10/1/10 – 3/31/12

On September 5, 2012 Governor Cuomo signed Chapter 448 of the Laws of 2012 amending Article 13-F of the Public Health Law, also known as the Adolescent Tobacco use Prevention Act.

Effective January 1, 2013, the amendment prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes to individuals less than 18 years of age.

The amendment defines “electronic cigarette” or “e-cigarette” as a battery-operated device that contains cartridges filled with a combination of nicotine, flavor and chemicals that are turned into vapor which is inhaled by the user.

The amendment also specifies the addition of “electronic cigarette” to current required signage.

Indoor Tanning Program On July 16, 2012, Governor Cuomo signed Chapter 105 of the Laws of 2012 amending Public Health Law Article 35-A: Ultraviolet Radiation Devices.

Effective August 15, 2012, the amendment prohibits the use of indoor tanning facilities by children less than 17 years of age and requires individuals between 17-18 years of age to obtain parental consent.

The law previously prohibited indoor tanning for individuals under 14, and required parental consent for individuals 14-18 years of age.

Health Risk Awareness

Consent Requirements

Studio Information

Parent / Guardian Consent Details

Owner / Artist Signature

Primary Prevention Program

Lead Testing 2010

2012 Camp Season’s Preliminary Overview Impact of Revised Day Camp Definition:•49 new indoor camps•96 new outdoor camps•31 camps are no longer regulated because they didn’t have an activity with a significant risk of injury•76 camps modified activities to avoid regulation

2012 Camp Season’s Preliminary Overview Incidents•No camper or staff fatalities•Increase in GI Outbreaks

Legislation• Licensed Professionals

at Camps • Green Cleaning

Products and Pesticides

• - Schools vs Camps

Use of Sunscreen at Camps – Revised SED Policy

Written orders are not required for campers to carry and use sunscreen when:•used to protect against overexposure to the sun;•sunscreen is approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use; and •written permission from parent or guardian.

NYSDOH is launching an internet service for collecting and submitting electronic inspection forms (eForms) using remote devices in the field.

LHDs will now have more options for submitting inspection information:• Scannable forms• eHIPS data entry• eForms• batch data files

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

The MobiTask client runs on most internet-capable devices (e.g., iPads, Android tablets, laptops, smartphones)• Facility and operation information stored on the device• Inspection forms completed and saved on the device• Connection to the internet (“connectivity”) is not required

until data are synchronized• Device synchronizes to NYSDOH using WiFi, cellular

services, or wired connections• Simultaneously submits inspection data and receives

updated forms and facility/operation information

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting 30

The device can also be used to:• Store reference documents• Obtain internet access• Record GPS coordinates• Take photos• Send/receive email• Use word processing/spreadsheet applications

Device and software are secure• Password-protected device• HCS credentials needed to access forms and

synchronize data

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting 31

Saves time:• Eliminates faxing, scanning, and data entry• Automatically generates inspection report summary• Eliminates error reports

Improves data quality:• Business rules and edit checks embedded in the eForm• Eliminates handwriting and scanning errors

Increases amount of information that can be collected Increases flexibility:

• DOH can add fields to eForms as needed (e.g., to collect information on an outbreak)

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting 32

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

Select operation and service types from drop down lists.

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

Add comments, collect signatures, record duration of inspection, and submit.

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

An inspection summary report will be emailed to the operator, the LHD, the inspector, and one additional email address, if email addresses are entered into eHIPS.

Standardization, Evaluation and Reporting

• Obtain feedback from inspectors regarding the technology and workflow.

• Continue to improve content and look of inspection eForms and summary reports.

• Continue to improve and streamline the eFrom process.

Participating LHDs are volunteers and must be eHIPS users. Training will be via Webinars for participating LHDs. LHDs interested in participating should contact John Bintz at

518-402-7474 or send an email to cehweb@ health.state.ny.us