Health Problems at the World's Fair

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INVIRONMENTAL health covers the many fields related to healthful living standards. This broad term identifies the personnel trained in sanitary disciplines to evaluate these standards and includes physical equipment and facilities. It also encompasses such specific projects as the control of insect and rodent vectors of disease and denotes the acceptability of food and beverages for human consumption. environmental health program developed for the New York World's Fair of 1964-65 incorporates all the varied activities implied by the term. As we gain more knowledge and understanding of health factors, the emphasis for control of specific situations changes and the aims of such a program must also change. This is evident in the programs develoiped for the 1939-40 New York World's Fair and the 1964-65 fair. Dr. John G. Grimley, special deputy commissioner of health for the New York World's Fair of 1939-40, faced the basic sanitation problems of controlling and waste, insects, and rodents. He stated that a great number of areas that were polluted directly from the surrounding territory with [raw] sewage flowing into the Flushing River created unacceptable odors and health hazards. His initial action, the installation of pumping stations and fills, reduced the problem to one of inspection and administration in 1965. Grimley also stated that The reputation of this part of Queens for the size and number and efficiency of the mosquitoes was the cause of considerable anxiety as to what could be done toward relieving the fair of this type of pest. Drainage and fill procedures were instituted and other actions taken to eradicate breeding. An accoinpanying concern was namely, the chironomid or midge problem. Though not an apparent vector of disease, the midge was a nuisance because of its tendency to enter the nose, eyes, ears, and mouth. A satisfactory control mechanism was developed by testing various chemicals and means of application. Continual control required six barges, spraying equipment, and a sizable staff. 'These efforts to control the midge were successful in 1939, and no comparable difficulty occurred in 1964-65. A third problem encountered by Grimley was rodent control. Flushing Meadows area served as a refuse dump area prior to 1939 and was a haven for rats. With the disturbance of their burrows by construction activities, the problem became acute. primary control measure was invoking Section 251 of the Sanitary (Code of the City of New York, which made it a misdemeanor to throw refuse on the grounds. This potent means of controlling rodents within a specific, limited area remains in force, though improved methods of eradication enable uis to work toward control of total populations. During the 1964-65 fair, insects and rodents were controlled by surveys, treatment, and reinspection, using the services of experienced people on a contract basis. This was a minimal effort which resulted in maximum control. other environmental health problems encountered in 1964-65 were similar to those encountered in 1939-40, varying only in degree of prevalence and methods of control. Dr. Brownton was the chief medical officer of the New York World's Fair 1964-65 and is now president of Atomedic Hospitals, Inc., New York City.