WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A report released Tuesday showed that minority children are more likely to be exposed to the hazards of pests, mold and lead because of the dilapidated conditions often found in low-income housing.
Exposure to these agents could play a part in the higher rates of asthma-related diseases seen in African-Americans, said Kevin Marchman, executive director of the non-profit organization National Organization of African-Americans in Housing, which issued the report. In addition, lead can cause mental problems.
"While it's bad for everyone, African-Americans suffer more than most from these respiratory illnesses," Marchman told United Press International.
NOAAH's aim is to make residents and owners of public housing units more aware of these dangers and to find ways to address them, he said.
The report comes from a task force made up of housing producers, regulators and financial experts NOAAH first convened two years ago to identify environmental hazards in residential and urban dwellings. The task force, dubbed the Healthy Homes Initiative, determined the three biggest problems were exposure to lead, pests and mold, Marchman said.
The report said the problem can be attributed to a lack of knowledge among residents and building owners about the health threats posed by these three elements. In addition, maintenance neglect and limited resources of residents to address the problems are contributing factors.
Daniel Swartz, executive director of the Children's Environmental Health Network, a group comprised of physicians, scientists and policy experts focused on protecting children from environmental hazards, applauded the report.
"It's really good to see people from (the building and public housing) sectors recognizing those problems," Swartz told UPI. "It's clear they're right, and it's not surprising the state of minority housing is causing health problems.
"The fundamental thing that needs to happen is a recognition that housing programs are health prevention measures," Swartz said. "(Healthier homes) will cut down long-term health costs ... will improve people's lives and will improve children's learning."
Exposure to lead-based paint is a serious concern because it can lead to mental retardation, learning disabilities and even death, the task force said.
"If you have paint chips around the window sills or the presence of dust and kids with a lot of hand-to-mouth activity, you need to know that is bad," Marchman said.
The report recommends an expansion of programs run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for disclosing lead-testing data and reducing the hazardous compound.
Databases should be established to track properties where children have been poisoned with lead, the task force said. Screening for levels of lead in the blood also should be increased to help with early detection of exposure.
Exposure to cockroach allergens is the biggest problem with pests and can cause respiratory problems, the task force said. Mold is a problem because it can trigger asthma attacks, particularly in children. Both come from poor maintenance, Marchman said.
The task force recommended property management and residents be educated about the negative health effects associated with pests. Also, existing sanitation codes should be enforced.
To address problems with mold, the task force recommended mandatory procedures for handling water intrusion and moisture issues for apartment buildings, condominiums and commercial buildings. Building evacuations should be required when mold contamination is linked to illness, the report said.
