The Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $15.7 million to 18 universities,
public health and housing organizations to conduct housing-related hazard and
energy efficiency research studies.
Provided through HUD’s
Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH), the research grants will
aim to identify and improve methods for detecting and controlling lead and
other housing-related health and safety hazards and will incorporate
weatherization into residential lead and healthy homes interventions.
Providing funds for these
studies and demonstrations is extremely important for developing knowledge that
helps to create and sustain new and existing housing that supports the health
of residents, especially populations at higher risk of being affected by home
health hazards, such as young children and seniors.
“A home is a determinant
of health, and today, too many homes are plagued with lead-based paint hazards,
which disproportionality impact communities of color. HUD is committed addressing
this issue and doing so in a way that places environmental justice and equity
at the center of our efforts,” OLHCHH Director Matthew Ammon said in a release.
“Supporting research and demonstrations on housing-related health hazards is
the basis for creating and maintaining homes that support the health of
occupants and improve energy efficiency.”
HUD estimates
approximately 24 million older homes in the U.S. still have significant
lead-based paint hazards. While most public housing has already undergone
abatement, there are still some properties where lead-based paint remains, and
where hazards have redeveloped.
HUD’s Lead and Healthy
Homes Technical Studies Grant Program is awarding research grants to
universities, public health and housing organizations to identify and clean up
lead hazards in their properties.
Recipients include:
·
The Berkeley
Air Monitoring Group, Inc. will be awarded $886,448 to assess the effect
of the California Public Utilities Commission’s program to replace gas and
biomass-fueled appliances with electric appliances in the homes of 75
low-income households in San Joaquin Valley compared to 75 homes that do not
receive the replacement appliances. Another study goal is to evaluate the
impact of a smart, low-cost air filtration unit on average indoor
concentrations of airborne particles, especially during wildfire smoke events.
·
The National
Center for Healthy Housing in Maryland will receive $1 million to study
the premise that energy efficient “Passive House” multifamily design in
affordable housing offers two elements that should result in lower airborne
fine particulate matter levels in these homes compared to those in
conventionally built multifamily homes. The researchers will compare the levels
of several pollutants and environmental conditions between the two groups.
·
Duke
University in North Carolina will be awarded $1 million to evaluate new
approaches to quantify and reduce chemical exposures from common building
materials, with an emphasis on plastic additives, pesticides, flame retardants,
and lead. The objective of this project is to develop methods to quantify and
reduce chemical exposures from the home environment using approaches that are adaptable
and customizable to individuals and households.