Jack Caravanos

Clinical Professor of Environmental Public Health Sciences in the Department of Global and Environmental Health

Professional overview

For Dr. Jack Caravanos, life in the field ranges from jumping onto a motorcycle and navigating the jungles of Madre de Dios in the Peruvian Amazon studying toxic substances to traveling to remotes areas in Zambia, Indonesia, and Bolivia studying lead and other toxic wastes. By cooperating with local governments, his work provides safe, healthy, and evidence-based solutions for pollution problems in low- and middle-income countries.

In partnership with Pure Earth, an international non-profit organization, Dr. Caravanos is studying the impact of gold extraction with mercury in Peru and Indonesia. Since miners are in danger of mercury poisoning, his research team is planning interventions that teach safer techniques for gold extraction. In Kabwe, Zambia - a mining town with exposure to lead - his research will provide methods to institute safer mining practices and policy recommendations to improve environmental remediation laws.

Dr. Caravanos teaches Environmental Health for graduate students and Environmental Health in a Global World for undergraduate students. He also provides opportunities for student researchers in his ongoing projects, including in Indonesia (mercury) and Ghana (e-waste).

To learn more about Dr. Caravanos and his work, visit his website.

Education

BS, Health Science, Hunter College, New York, NY

MS, Environmental Health Engineering, New York University, New York, NY

DrPH, Environmental Health, Columbia University, New York, NY

Honors and awards

Presidential Award for Excellence in Community Service, Hunter College (2013)

Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, Hunter College (2006)

Areas of research and study

Artisanal Gold Mining

Dissemination and Implementation of Evidence-based Programs

Environmental Public Health Services

Global Health

Lead poisoning

Publications

Publications

An exterior and interior leaded dust deposition survey in New York City : Results of a 2-year study

Caravanos, J., Weiss, A. L., & Jaeger, R. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

2006

Journal title

Environmental Research

Volume

100

Issue

2

Page(s)

159-164

10.1016/j.envres.2005.08.005

Abstract

Abstract

Environmental concentrations of leaded dust were monitored by weekly sample collection of interior and exterior settled dust that had accumulated due to atmospheric deposition. The weekly deposition amounts were measured and the cumulative rates of lead in dust that deposited on a weekly basis over 2 year's time were determined. The sampling analysis revealed that the median values of leaded dust for the interior plate (adjacent to the open window), unsheltered exterior plate, and the sheltered exterior plate were 4.8, 14.2, and 32.3 μg/feet2/week, respectively. The data supports the existence of a continuous source of deposited leaded dust in interior and exterior locations within New York City. Additional data from a control plate (interior plate with the window closed) demonstrate that the source of the interior lead deposition was from exterior (environmental) sources. Because of the ubiquitous nature of lead in our environment and the toxic threat of lead to the cognitive health of children, this data provides a framework for the understanding of environmental exposure to lead and its potential for continuing accumulation within an urban environment.

Distribution of lead in urban roadway grit and its association with elevated steel structures

Weiss, A. L., Caravanos, J., Blaise, M. J., & Jaeger, R. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

2006

Journal title

Chemosphere

Volume

65

Issue

10

Page(s)

1762-1771

10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.04.079

Abstract

Abstract

In an effort to determine the source of exterior lead contamination, we investigated the concentration of lead in roadway grit along major thoroughfares in New York City and in certain areas under elevated steel structures supporting elevated rails. Such structures represent only one source of lead in roadway grit. While data revealed that the median lead concentration in roadway grit did not exceed the standard for a lead hazard in bare residential soil in any borough, the limit of 400 μg/g was exceeded 22%, 18%, 10.5%, and 7.7% of the time in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Queens, respectively. The second part of the study revealed the presence of high concentrations of lead in roadway grit directly under elevated steel structures. The differences in the concentration of lead in roadway grit under steel structures in comparison to areas in NYC not near elevated rails was statistically significant. Of the eight sites studied from 225 total samples, the median roadway grit lead level was 340 ppm, while the level under steel structures was 1480 ppm. Preliminary efforts to determine particle size distribution revealed that 84% of the particles were in the range of 125-500 μm, but the highest concentration of lead was in the smallest fraction analyzed (

Long term exterior dust lead loadings in New York City

Caravanos, J., Weiss, A., & Jaeger, R. (n.d.).

Publication year

2006

Journal title

Environmental Research

Volume

100

Issue

2

Page(s)

159

Abstract

Abstract

~

A multihazard, multistrategy approach to home remediation : Results of a pilot study

Klitzman, S., Caravanos, J., Belanoff, C., & Rothenberg, L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2005

Journal title

Environmental Research

Volume

99

Issue

3

Page(s)

294-306

10.1016/j.envres.2005.03.003

Abstract

Abstract

Many residential hazards are disproportionately concentrated in older, urban dwellings and share common underlying causes, such as uncorrected moisture problems and inadequate maintenance and cleaning. Comprehensive and affordable approaches to remediation are needed, but the feasibility and efficacy of such approaches has not been well documented. To address this gap, a multihazard, multimethod intervention, addressing deteriorated lead-based paint and lead dust, vermin, mold, and safety hazards was pilot-tested in a sample of 70 pre-1940 dwellings. Dwellings received paint stabilization, dust lead cleaning, integrated pest management (IPM), mold cleaning, and safety devices, as needed. The median remediation cost for labor and materials was $864.66 (range: $120.00-5235.33) per dwelling. Environmental conditions were evaluated prior to, immediately following, and an average of 5 months after remediation. Between the baseline and 5-month follow-up periods, significant reductions were achieved in the number of dwellings with multiple (i.e., three or four) problems (75% vs. 23%, P

Prevalence and predictors of residential health hazards : A pilot study

Klitzman, S., Caravanos, J., Deitcher, D., Rothenberg, L., Belanoff, C., Kramer, R., & Cohen, L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2005

Journal title

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

Volume

2

Issue

6

Page(s)

293-301

10.1080/15459620590958741

Abstract

Abstract

This article reports the results of a pilot study designed to ascertain the prevalence of lead-based paint (LBP), vermin, mold, and safety conditions and hazards and to validate observations and self-reports against environmental sampling data. Data are based on a convenience sample of 70 dwellings in a low-income, urban neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. The vast majority of residences (96%) contained multiple conditions and/or hazards: LBP hazards (80%), vermin (79%), elevated levels of airborne mold (39%), and safety hazards (100%). Observations and occupant reports were associated with environmental sampling data. In general, the more proximate an observed condition was to an actual hazard, the more likely it was to be associated with environmental sampling results (e.g., peeling LBP was associated with windowsill dust lead levels, and cockroach sightings by tenants were associated with Blatella germanica [Bla g 1] levels). Conversely, the more distal an observed condition was to an actual hazard, the less likely it was to be associated with environmental sampling results (e.g., water damage, alone, was not statistically associated with elevated levels of dust lead, Bla g 1, or airborne mold). Based on the findings from this pilot study, there is a need for industrial hygienists and others to adopt more comprehensive and integrative approaches to residential hazard assessment and remediation. Further research-using larger, randomly drawn samples, representing a range of housing types and geographical areas-is needed to clarify the relationship between readily observable conditions, occupant reports, and environmental sampling data and to assess the cumulative impact on human health.

Asbestos abatement response actions under AHERA

Caravanos, J. (n.d.). In Journal of the National Asbestos Council.

Publication year

1988

Abstract

Abstract

~

Training requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)

Caravanos, J. (n.d.). In ECON: Environmental Contractor.

Publication year

1987

Volume

2

Issue

12

Abstract

Abstract

~

Validation of mathematical models predicting the emission rates of volatile chemicals from contaminated soils

Caravanos, J., Sewell, G., & Shen, T. (n.d.).

Publication year

1985

Abstract

Abstract

~

The effect of wind speed on the emission rates of volatile chemicals from open hazardous waste dump sites

Caravanos, J., & Shen, T. (n.d.).

Publication year

1984

Abstract

Abstract

~

Development of an interactive inter-state community hospital based regional tumor registry.

Caravanos, J., Stellman, J., Caravanos, J., & Taub, R. N. (n.d.).

Publication year

1983

Journal title

Progress in clinical and biological research

Volume

120

Page(s)

165-169

Abstract

Abstract

~

Fighting indoor air pollution

Caravanos, J. (n.d.). In Newsletter of the Women's Occupational Health Resource Center.

Publication year

1981

Volume

3

Issue

3

Abstract

Abstract

~