From mold to rodents to toxic chemicals, household hazards are more than just lead poisoning, prompting federal and local officials to seek a more comprehensive way to make Americans’ homes healthier.
“Housing is an important determinant of health,” said Roy Bernardi, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, speaking at the 2008 National Healthy Homes Conference in Baltimore on Monday.
“It’s time to develop a broader strategy,” he said.
Hundreds of health and housing advocates convened for the three-day conference to explore regulatory, outreach and research options for ensuring homes are safe and healthy.
Lead poisoning has been a major federal and local focus for decades, and progress has been made to reduce the number of children suffering from lead poisoning, officials said.
Baltimore has been a leader in banning lead-based paint and working to reduce the rate of childhood lead poisoning by 95 percent, officials said.
Nationwide, the number of children with lead poisoning has plummeted from more than 3 million in 1978 to about 310,000 in 2002, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson.
But toxins like formaldehyde often found in pressed wood products or asbestos found in attic insulation still threaten families’ health, he said.
“It’s broader that just one issue,” he added. “It’s broader than a focus on one contaminant.”
The EPA has begun assessing the risk of formaldehyde, which it has deemed a possible carcinogen. The chemical has been scrutinized since dangerous levels were found in the trailers provided to Hurricane Katrina victims.
The agency is investigating possible regulations and will solicit public input this fall, Johnson said.
Taking steps to reduce household hazards requires the education of homeowners, landlords and contractors, officials said.
“The time is now for a national dialogue,” said Rear Adm. Robert Williams, acting deputy U.S. surgeon general.
In Baltimore, lead paint inspectors now look out for a variety of health hazards, such as a lack of smoke detectors, mold or poor ventilation.
“To ensure every resident has a safe, healthy home is a challenge,” Mayor Sheila Dixon told the crowd. “We are serious.”
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