Dog Run Closed After Arsenic and Mercury Found
The dog run at Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy was closed on August 23 after soil tests detected arsenic and mercury, prompting city officials to halt use and plan remediation.
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443 storiesnewest firstlatest August 24, 2026page 15 of 23
Community Opposition Delays Quebec City Supervised Consumption Site
Quebec City has delayed its temporary supervised consumption centre due to community opposition and low social acceptability, despite officials’ aim to curb rising overdose rates. Authorities plan further engagement to address concerns before moving forward.
FDA Recalls 40,000 Eye Drop Bottles from Major Retailers
The FDA recalled 40,000 bottles of eye drops sold at Walmart, Target and Kroger on August 14, 2026 due to safety concerns that could cause eye injuries. Shoppers are urged to stop using the product and return any bottles to the retailer for a refund.
Low Public Acceptance Delays Quebec Temporary Supervised Consumption Site
A planned temporary supervised consumption centre in Quebec is delayed due to low public acceptance, despite rising overdose rates prompting municipalities to consider harm‑reduction sites.
Brooklyn Dog Run Closed After Arsenic and Mercury Found
Testing at Herbert Von King Park’s dog run in Brooklyn revealed arsenic and mercury contamination, leading to its closure on August 23, 2026 to protect public health.
Homeless Deaths Decline in 2025 Amid Record Population
In 2025, deaths among homeless New Yorkers fell, primarily linked to drug use, while the city’s homeless population remained at a record high, highlighting ongoing housing and health challenges.
Quebec City’s Supervised Consumption Site Delayed by Community Opposition
The planned temporary supervised consumption site in Quebec City has been delayed due to insufficient community support, despite officials’ efforts to curb rising overdose rates.
Quebec Town Trains Businesses and First Responders for Dementia-Friendly Service
A Quebec town began training local merchants, municipal staff and emergency responders on dementia‑friendly practices to improve everyday interactions for people living with the condition. The program is part of a growing movement among Canadian communities to make services more inclusive as dementia rates rise.
Aid Workers Say Canada Ebola Quarantine Hinders Response
Canada introduced a three‑week quarantine for travelers from Ebola‑hit DRC, prompting aid workers, including Lily‑Madeleine Seguin, to warn it may hinder outbreak response efforts.
Health Experts Offer Heat Safety Tips for New Jersey Parents
New Jersey health officials advise parents to keep children hydrated, dress appropriately, limit outdoor heat exposure, and never leave kids unattended in cars to prevent heat exhaustion and hot‑car incidents during the hot summer of 2026.
Homeless Deaths Drop in 2025 as Population Stays at Record High
In 2025, deaths among homeless New Yorkers fell while the overall homeless population stayed at a record high, with most fatalities linked to drug use.
Los Angeles County Confirms First West Nile Death of 2026
Los Angeles County health officials confirmed the first West Nile virus death of 2026 and urged residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Seven Arrested, 8 Pounds of Fentanyl Seized in Bronx Apartment
Police raided a Bronx apartment on August 18, arresting seven people and seizing about eight pounds of fentanyl worth over $1 million. The bust is part of heightened city efforts to combat the opioid surge.
Typhus Cases Climb in Los Angeles County
Typhus infections are rising in Los Angeles County, and health officials are urging residents to adopt preventive measures against flea exposure.
NYC and Suffolk County Confirm First Human West Nile Cases of 2026
New York City and Suffolk County health departments reported the first human West Nile virus infections of 2026 on August 19, linking the cases to mosquito populations found carrying the virus. Officials urge continued vigilance and preventive measures as surveillance continues.
Survey Links Hundreds of Boyle Heights Residents to Illness After Warehouse Blaze
A health survey in Boyle Heights has confirmed that hundreds of residents experienced medical problems after a large warehouse fire, linking the issues to exposure from the blaze.
NYC Health Dept. Reports First 2026 West Nile Case
NYC Health officials confirmed the first human West Nile virus case of 2026, linked to outdoor exposure outside the city, and reiterated ongoing mosquito monitoring and prevention guidance.
Polytechnique Montréal Leads Canada’s Pandemic Preparedness Effort
Polytechnique Montréal’s laboratory is now leading Canada’s coordinated research on pandemic preparedness, developing tools and strategies to improve national response capabilities six years after COVID-19 exposed critical gaps.
Toronto Public Health Investigates Downtown Legionella Outbreak
Toronto Public Health is investigating a legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the downtown core after finding Legionella bacteria in cooling towers, hot tubs, sprinklers, humidifiers and decorative fountains, and is urging testing and remediation of affected water systems.
Brad Bradford Calls for Mandatory Addiction Treatment
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford proposed mandatory addiction treatment for people with substance‑use disorders during his August 17 campaign event in Toronto, with Ali Chiasson also present for the announcement.
