Air and water quality raise alarms among residents, new poll reveals

In a recent survey sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital exposed the concerns of over 600 residents living in New York City and Long Island. The ‘Truth in Medicine’ Poll, now in its 17th edition, sheds light on the pressing worries of the community, unveiling that more than 50 percent perceive their surroundings as environmentally unhealthy.

According to the survey, a staggering 89 percent of respondents expressed worry about the safety of the air they breathe. Dr. Adhi Sharma, president at Mount Sinai South Nassau, emphasized the serious health risks associated with poor air quality, citing links to heart and respiratory diseases, as well as the development of metabolic issues like obesity and diabetes.

“Research has shown that high levels of fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and nitric oxide can cause distress for people with heart or respiratory disease and put them at risk for other life-threatening diseases or illnesses,” said Sharma. “There is also increasing evidence that exposure to air pollution, mainly fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, is associated with the development of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, hypertension, stroke, and heart failure.”

During the hazardous air quality alerts in June, triggered by Canadian wildfires, 37 percent of respondents reported health concerns, with 20 percent requiring medical attention. Sharma urged residents to take precautions, including protecting indoor air quality, monitoring symptoms, and seeking help when needed.

The American Lung Society’s 2023 State of the Air Report further validated concerns, ranking the New York metro area poorly for high ozone and particle pollution days.

While air quality took the lead, respondents also expressed significant concerns about water pollution, with more than 80 percent worried about the safety of their drinking water. Dr. Aaron E. Glatt, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, highlighted potential health risks associated with specific substances found in water.

“While the evidence is not undisputable, numerous epidemiological studies have associated exposure to specific per- and polyfluorinated substances with a range of health diseases and complications, including liver disease, lipid and insulin dysregulation, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, and cancer,” said Aaron Glatt, chair of the department of medicine and hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment reported that over 600,000 Long Islanders drink water exceeding EPA standards for PFAS chemicals, emphasizing the need for caution and proactive measures.

Glatt suggested practical steps residents can take to safeguard water quality, including responsible chemical disposal, limited use of fertilizers and pesticides, and investing in-home water filtration systems.

“So certainly, regardless of where you live, we should be doing all that we can to reduce our exposure to these chemicals by using all-natural cleaning and personal care products as much as possible; drinking filtered water and improving our public water purification systems,” he said.

Linda Armyn, chief strategy and marketing officer at Bethpage Federal Credit Union echoed the importance of community involvement in preserving the environment. She urged residents to make environmental protection a top priority.

“Like Mount Sinai South Nassau, we understand that a healthy and vibrant environment is a cornerstone of the quality of life that we enjoy,” she said. “I strongly encourage the communities and customers we serve to make protecting and preserving our environment a top priority.”

For more information and detailed poll findings, visit www.southnassau.org/sn/truth-in-medicine.