Sharing Our Stories: NCEH’s Impact on Public Health

CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) plans, directs, and coordinates a program to protect the American people from environmental hazards. We promote a healthy environment and prevent premature death, avoidable illness, and disability caused by non-infectious, non-occupational environmental and related factors. We are especially committed to safeguarding the health of vulnerable populations—such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities—from certain environmental hazards.

Visit the NCEH/ATSDR blog for more stories about how NCEH safeguards the health of people from environmental hazards.

One of the hottest topics in public health today is the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), commonly referred to as “vaping.” These devices are often marketed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, and represent a growing market share of tobacco products. But the health impact of these alternative products — which typically use liquid nicotine (sometimes called “e-juice”) and a battery to create a vapor inhaled by the user — is not clear.

The Florida Department of Health had been sampling drinking water wells for arsenic in central Florida based on suspected areas of concern. About one out of every three drinking water wells tested had elevated levels of arsenic. As a result, the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County and the Florida Tracking Program conducted a year-long study in “hot spot” areas that had a higher risk of arsenic exposure from well water.

Page last reviewed: March 12, 2021