New York State Council of Professional Geologists,

In Conjunction with the Hudson-Mohawk Professional Geologists Association

Presents:

Geology Days Tuesday Dinner Presentation

Saratoga Springs, NY

October 18, 2022

5:00 – 6:00 Happy Hour

6:00 – 7:00 Dinner

7:00 – 8:00 Presentation

Public Health Protection – A Geologist’s Perspective

Daniel C. Lang, Deputy Director, Center for Environmental Health – NYSDOH

Abstract

Geologists have unique qualities, scientific principles and expertise that make them well equipped to put the public health challenges of our time into context. They understand that events of geologic significance (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, climate change effects, etc.) do not just spontaneously occur but in fact are mere symptoms of long-term, ever-changing, and often hidden (or ignored) processes. The profession of geology has therefore attracted like-minded people of a certain temperament and cool-headed nature that can be modeled by public health professionals.

This presentation will highlight some of the key public health protection initiatives in New York State and how geologic principles can be applied to help us better implement these programs. Drinking Water Source Protection, Water Infrastructure Improvements, Lead Service Line Replacements, Emerging Contaminant Monitoring, Maximum Contaminant Levels, Indoor Air Quality and Wastewater Surveillance are just a few of the relevant environmental health programs that would benefit from geologists’ perspectives. Deep dives into the Drinking Water Source Protection Program and the Statewide Wastewater Surveillance System will show how these public health protection initiatives can be successfully implemented with a better understanding of the effects of long-term processes and background monitoring programs so familiar to geologists.

Daniel Lang, P.G.

Deputy Director

Center for Environmental Health

NYS Department of Health

Bio

Dan Lang is the Deputy Director of the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) in the New York State Department of Health. CEH scientists, engineers, sanitarians, physicians, educators, researchers and other public health professionals work together to prevent and reduce New Yorkers' health risks at home, work, school and play. The CEH Office of the Center Director provides overall executive direction for environmental health programs. In addition to supervision of central office staff, the office works closely with regional office staff to coordinate the oversight of environmental health program activities implemented by the Department's nine district offices, 36 county health departments, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

In his previous role as the CEH Director of Strategic Operations, Dan provided program management and team-building support to advance high-priority projects for the Center and the Department, the latest of which has been New York State’s Wastewater Based Epidemiology program. He oversaw a COVID-19 wastewater pilot study in Fall 2020 where wastewater sampling was conducted in multiple locations in four cities in Upstate New York. The results of this pilot study were used to design a statewide COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Program that continues to expand.

Prior to becoming the Director of Strategic Operations, Dan was the Deputy Director of the Division of Environmental Health Protection at the New York State Department of Health. His responsibilities included policy development and implementation in the areas of water supply protection, community environmental health and food protection, and environmental radiation protection.

Dan is a New York State Professional Geologist and has 30 years of experience in the environmental field, having worked as an environmental consultant for 25 years after receiving his Master’s degree in Hydrogeology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Rochester.

Dan joined the NYSDOH in 2017, which was coincidentally the same year New York State initiated several actions to address drinking water-related concerns, including the formation of a Water Quality Rapid Response Team, passing of the $2.5 billion NYS Water Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2017, and the establishment of the NYS Drinking Water Quality Council. Dan is also a member of the Education Committee for the Eastern NY Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association, which provides Earth Day Grants to K-12 schools in the Eastern NY region for environmental projects.

The Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs will need confirmation of dinner attendees by October 7th. Please register by this date.

If you have already registered for the full Geology Days Conference with the dinner option, you do NOT need to register for the Tuesday Dinner here.

View the entire conference event page here!

View the event announcement and schedule here!