Policy and Standards Division

The Policy and Standards Division of OHHLHC supports research on improving cost effective methods to identify and control lead-based paint and other housing-related health and safety hazards with a particular emphasis on children's health. The OHHLHC supports research primarily through grants that are competitively awarded through an annual Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Healthy Homes Technical Studies and Lead Technical Studies Program. Project evaluations are also conducted by Healthy Homes Demonstration Program grantees, some of which are published. Research is also directed through contracts and is conducted through agreements with other federal agencies.

Research Highlights

The following are highlights of some major research sponsored by the OHHLHC outside of the competitive grant process that is announced in the annual NOFA with links to related reports and publications. Information on research focus areas and results is also available on the Lead Technical Studies and Healthy Homes Technical Studies program pages.

Evaluation of HUD's Lead Hazard Control Grant Program

A study monitored 1034 dwellings in which lead hazard control interventions were conducted by 14 Lead Hazard Control program grantees through a 12-month post-intervention plan, with 278 dwellings followed over a 36-month period post-intervention. A follow-up study was conducted on 426 dwellings treated by four grantees that had participated in the original evaluation study. Some findings from the original and follow-up evaluations include the following:

• Geometric mean dust-lead loadings on floors, window sills, and window troughs were significantly reduced from pre-intervention levels at the 36-month follow up, with mean lead loadings for floors, window sills and window troughs of 9, 62, and 363 µg/ft2, respectively.
• Treatments were effective at 6 years post-intervention, with geometric mean dust-lead loadings for floors and window sills, 11% and 23% lower, respectively, than any previous time following intervention. Higher intensity treatments resulted in lowers dust-lead loadings on window surfaces but not on floors.
• Treatments to both the exterior of the dwelling and to address lead-contaminated soils were associated with interior lower floor-dust lead loadings.
• The highest treatment-related failures were observed for painted components subject to abrasion, impact or weather and for window jamb liners.
• The blood-lead levels of children living in treated homes declined an average of 23% one year post-intervention. The HHI also supports research through contracts and interagency agreements with other federal agencies.

In 1998-2000 HUD sponsored a survey of a naturally representative sample of housing in the U.S. in which children could reside. 831 housing units were evaluated for lead in paint, dust and soil. The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) partnered with HUD to analyze dust samples for the concentrations of the common household allergens (i.e., dust mite, cockroach, mouse, cat, dog, Alternaria), and endotoxins. Results were published in the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing. Information was also collected from residents through administration of a questionnaire. Some lead-related findings from NSLAH include the following: