Peggy Shepard | Columbia University (original) (raw)
Papers by Peggy Shepard
Residents ofthe dense urban core neighborhoods of New York City (NYC) have expressed increasing c... more Residents ofthe dense urban core neighborhoods of New York City (NYC) have expressed increasing concern about the potential human health impacts of diesel vehide emissions. We measured concentrations of particulate matter .2.5 pm in aerodynamic d;ai er (PM2 5) and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on el in Harlem, NYC, and tested whether spatial variations inl concentrations were related to local diese traffic densit Eight-hour (1000-1800 hr) ar: samples for PM2.5 and elemental carbon (EC) .wer colltiied for 5 days in july 1996 on sidewalk adjaent to fur geographicily astinci Harlem interseons. Samples were k u rtable nmoitors worn by study staff. Simltneustrfic cunts for diesel trucks, buses, car,ad pedei were carried out at each intersect.on.. on .. 2 of the 5 sampling days. Eight-hour diesel vehicle COunts ranged from 61: to 2,467 across the four sites. Mean co ntrationso eM25xbited only moest siteto-site variation (3747 pg/m3), reflecting the importance of broader .reional sourcs of PM2 5. In contrast, EC concentrations vi 4-fold acoss sites (fm 1.5 to 6 p3), and were associated with bus and truck counts on.Ajacent streets and, at. one site, with the presence of a bus depot. A
American Journal of Public Health, 1999
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2002
Journal of Community Health, 2004
The US EPA has phased-out residential use of two organophosphate pesticides commonly used to cont... more The US EPA has phased-out residential use of two organophosphate pesticides commonly used to control cockroaches—retail sales of chlorpyrifos were scheduled to end on 12/31/01, and diazinon on 12/31/02. In light of recent findings highlighting the associations between pests, pesticides and health, we surveyed stores in low-income, minority neighborhoods in New York City to determine whether the phase-outs have been effective and to assess the availability of alternatives to spray pesticides. In summer 2002, when sales of chlorpyrifos were illegal and diazinon still legal, we surveyed 106 stores selling pesticides. Four percent sold products containing chlorpyrifos and 40 percent sold products containing diazinon. One year later, when sales of both pesticides were to have ended, we surveyed 109 stores selling pesticides in the same neighborhoods and found chlorpyrifos in only one store and diazinon in 18 percent of stores, including 80 percent of supermarkets surveyed. At least one form of lower toxicity pesticides, including gels, bait stations and boric acid was available in 69 percent of stores in 2002. However sprays were most widely available, found in 94 percent of stores in 2002 and less expensive than lower toxicity baits and gels. In a separate survey of storekeeper recommendations conducted in 2002, storekeepers recommended lower toxicity pesticides as the best way to control cockroaches 79% of the time. The EPA's phase-outs have nearly eliminated sales of chlorpyrifos, but the diazinon phase-out appears to be less effective.
WE ACT has initiated this study to research the potential impacts of PlaNYC 2030's proposed c... more WE ACT has initiated this study to research the potential impacts of PlaNYC 2030's proposed congestion pricing plan in New York City on Northern Manhattan neighborhoods. It is an outcome of a sustained dialogue with Northern Manhattan community residents and elected officials regarding their concerns about potential negative impacts of the proposed plan. Over the past 18 months, WE ACT
Residents ofthe dense urban core neighborhoods of New York City (NYC) have expressed increasing c... more Residents ofthe dense urban core neighborhoods of New York City (NYC) have expressed increasing concern about the potential human health impacts of diesel vehide emissions. We measured concentrations of particulate matter .2.5 pm in aerodynamic d;ai er (PM2 5) and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on el in Harlem, NYC, and tested whether spatial variations inl concentrations were related to local diese traffic densit Eight-hour (1000-1800 hr) ar: samples for PM2.5 and elemental carbon (EC) .wer colltiied for 5 days in july 1996 on sidewalk adjaent to fur geographicily astinci Harlem interseons. Samples were k u rtable nmoitors worn by study staff. Simltneustrfic cunts for diesel trucks, buses, car,ad pedei were carried out at each intersect.on.. on .. 2 of the 5 sampling days. Eight-hour diesel vehicle COunts ranged from 61: to 2,467 across the four sites. Mean co ntrationso eM25xbited only moest siteto-site variation (3747 pg/m3), reflecting the importance of broader .reional sourcs of PM2 5. In contrast, EC concentrations vi 4-fold acoss sites (fm 1.5 to 6 p3), and were associated with bus and truck counts on.Ajacent streets and, at. one site, with the presence of a bus depot. A
American Journal of Public Health, 1999
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2002
Journal of Community Health, 2004
The US EPA has phased-out residential use of two organophosphate pesticides commonly used to cont... more The US EPA has phased-out residential use of two organophosphate pesticides commonly used to control cockroaches—retail sales of chlorpyrifos were scheduled to end on 12/31/01, and diazinon on 12/31/02. In light of recent findings highlighting the associations between pests, pesticides and health, we surveyed stores in low-income, minority neighborhoods in New York City to determine whether the phase-outs have been effective and to assess the availability of alternatives to spray pesticides. In summer 2002, when sales of chlorpyrifos were illegal and diazinon still legal, we surveyed 106 stores selling pesticides. Four percent sold products containing chlorpyrifos and 40 percent sold products containing diazinon. One year later, when sales of both pesticides were to have ended, we surveyed 109 stores selling pesticides in the same neighborhoods and found chlorpyrifos in only one store and diazinon in 18 percent of stores, including 80 percent of supermarkets surveyed. At least one form of lower toxicity pesticides, including gels, bait stations and boric acid was available in 69 percent of stores in 2002. However sprays were most widely available, found in 94 percent of stores in 2002 and less expensive than lower toxicity baits and gels. In a separate survey of storekeeper recommendations conducted in 2002, storekeepers recommended lower toxicity pesticides as the best way to control cockroaches 79% of the time. The EPA's phase-outs have nearly eliminated sales of chlorpyrifos, but the diazinon phase-out appears to be less effective.
WE ACT has initiated this study to research the potential impacts of PlaNYC 2030's proposed c... more WE ACT has initiated this study to research the potential impacts of PlaNYC 2030's proposed congestion pricing plan in New York City on Northern Manhattan neighborhoods. It is an outcome of a sustained dialogue with Northern Manhattan community residents and elected officials regarding their concerns about potential negative impacts of the proposed plan. Over the past 18 months, WE ACT