Research and Evaluation Projects
-Completed-

Does Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Work?
Battelle/EPA Electrostatic Cleaning Cloth Evaluation
Rhode Island Weatherization
Milwaukee Pilot Ordinance
EPA Swiffer Study
Common Area Lead Hazards in Multifamily Buildings
Providence Healthy Homes
HUD Retospective Evaluation of Lead Hazard Control Grantees
HUD 6-Year Extension Analysis
The HUD Risk Assessment Study - Study of HUDs Risk Assessment Methodology in Three Communities Final Report now available
Lead Specs for Housing Developers
Do Walk-off Mats Reduce Lead Dust in the House?
Evaluation of One-Time Professional Cleaning in Homes with Lead Paint Hazards
Rhode Island Nurses Study
Cleaning Lead Dust: How Much Cleaning is Enough?
Effectiveness of Low level Treatments to Leaded Soil
Feasibility of Lead dust Wipe by Testing by Untrained Individuals
Review of Research on Lead Hazard Control Options
Evaluations of Lead Hazard Interventions in Connecticut
The Relationship of Dust Lead to Blood Lead Levels

Does Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Work?
The Center commissioned this independent review of the available scientific evidence on the efficacy of controlling lead-based paint hazards in housing to fill an important gap. At the time the review was written in 1995, a number of studies had been conducted on specific lead hazard controls and how well they reduced blood and/or dust lead levels. For the first time, this report looked at the results of all those studies, to see if there was some commonality in the findings. Please click here to read more about this project.

Battelle/EPA Electrostatic Cleaning Cloth Evaluation (Completed 12/31/04)
In July 2004, Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle), under a Work Assignment issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), engaged Solutions as a subcontractor to assist in developing the design and quality assurance project plan (QAPP) for a study of electrostatic cleaning cloths as alternatives to lead dust clearance testing. Solutions was also engaged to work with various Baltimore City programs and property owners to secure housing units for the study in which dust sampling and the cleaning protocol would be performed.  Finally, working with its subcontractor, Leadtec Services, Solutions carried out the field sampling and cleaning protocol in 11 Baltimore City housing units. 

Rhode Island Weatherization
NCHH is partnering with the Rhode Island State Energy Agency to pilot a program that combines window replacement and weatherization service for 25 low-income properties in Rhode Island. The pilot will include a demonstration and research component. The demonstration aims to show that weatherization and lead funds can be effectively combined to create safer, energy-efficient housing for at-risk families. The research will examine the relative safety of the units following the "weatherization plus health" activities. The study will also examine the extent to which weatherization activities create potential hazards and how weatherization activities can be modified to mitigate potential health risks.For more information, please contact Jonathan Wilson at jwilson@centerforhealthyhousing.org

Milwaukee Pilot Ordinance
HUD contracted with Battelle and NCHH to study the effectiveness of Milwaukee's relatively inexpensive and very productive lead hazard control strategy that focuses on window treatments. Battelle has the lead on this project with NCHH managing most of the field work. For more information, please contact Jonathan Wilson at jwilson@centerforhealthyhousing.org.

EPA Swiffer Study
This study will examine the efficacy of using Swiffer mops in lieu of a clearance examination. This research could play an important role in informing the protocols followed by renovation and remodeling contractors under future EPA regulations. The study will investigate whether a "white glove test" can be used as a proxy for clearance testing, to enable homeowners and others to clean surfaces to a point under EPA clearance standards. Laboratory tests suggest that this strategy holds promise. NCHH will carry out a field study in the City of Baltimore to determine the feasibility of this practice outside laboratory conditions.For more information, please contact Rebecca Morley at rmorley@centerforhealthyhousing.org

Common Areas Study
NCHH and the University of Cincinnati Department of Environmental Health collaborated on a lead technical study, "A Study of the Influence of Common Area Lead Hazards and Common Area Lead Hazard Control on Dust Lead Loadings in Multifamily Buildings." The study examined common areas in145 low-income, mostly pre-1940, multi-unit buildings in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Lead Hazard Control Grant Program at pre-intervention, clearance and one-year post-intervention. This study demonstrated that interior common areas contain substantial amounts of deteriorated lead-based paint and dust. Dust lead from those sources migrates into the associated dwelling units. Furthermore, remediation of common areas effectively reduces those hazards. Comparisons of the effects of low- and moderate-level interventions did not identify a difference in effectiveness between the two levels, suggesting that at least in the short-run, lower cost interventions that primarily stabilize deteriorated paint are a satisfactory treatment. 
Please click here to read more about this project.

Providence Healthy Homes
The Providence Lead and Healthy Homes Programs assessed lead and other environmental and safety hazards in enrolled dwelling units located in low-income neighborhoods in Providence, RI. Identified lead hazards were controlled in all enrolled units, while half of enrolled units were randomly selected for treatment of other identified environmental and safety hazards (i.e., "Healthy Homes" hazards).  Interventions focused on lead-based paint hazards, cockroach and dust mite allergens, moisture-generating conditions, carbon monoxide and conditions that might cause unintentional injuries.
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HUD Retrospective Evaluation of Lead Hazard Control Grantees
HUD contracted with Battelle and NCHH to study the programs of representative grantees that received Lead Hazard Control Grants in years after those that participated in the original national evaluation. The objective is to determine how well the overall HUD program is doing and to note any signifant changes in the activities of program recipients. Battelle has the lead on this project. Battelle and NCHH have been designing and redesigning the project over the past 18 months. The present plan involves a qualitative program evaluation and a statistical evaluation of dust lead data coleted bafore and after treatment. Center staff will interview the local program managers with respect to such issues as dwelling unit selection, hazard control treatment strategy, contracting with construction firms, tenant relocation and clearance. Center staff will also visit at least four treated units in each program to get an idea as to what was actually done. No new dust tests or occupant interviews will be carried out. This project will be completed in 2004. Partner: Battelle 
For more information, please contact Jonathan Wilson at jwilson@centerforhealthyhousing.org

HUD 6-Year Extension Analysis
HUD contracted with NCHH through the Battelle contract to collect and analyze dust lead data from 426 dwelling units six years after completion of treatment by the lead hazard control programs in Minnesota, Milwaukee, Vermont and New York City that were part of the original evaluation. The project was designed to determine the extent to which lead reaccumulates in dust on floors and windowsills in housing in varying baseline condition six years after completion of three levels of lead hazard control treatment (low, medium and high). Partner: Battelle.
Please click here for more information about this project.

The HUD Risk Assessment Study
In 1997, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the National Center for Lead-Safe Housing (the Center) a grant to evaluate the performance of HUD's lead risk assessment and lead hazard screening protocols in predicting whether the resident child will have an elevated blood lead level (i.e., ≥10 µg/dL) and to identify ways to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of these protocols.
Please click here for more information about this project and to read the final report.

Lead Specs for Housing Developers
Assistance in developing standardized, computerized specifications for various forms of lead hazard reduction construction activities.
For more information, please click here.

Cambridge Walk-off Mat Study
The Center was hired by the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts to conduct a study to determine whether walk-off mats provided to tenants after lead hazard control treatment reduce the amount of lead dust within the home. The study began in March 1998 and continued until December 31, 2000.
Please click here for more information about this project.

Evaluation of One-Time Professional Cleaning in Homes with Lead Paint Hazards
A key challenge in reducing the burden of lead poisoning is to identify cost-effective interventions that minimize lead-based paint hazards. One-time professional cleaning of lead-contaminated dust and debris was conducted in thirty-seven units with deteriorated lead-based paint and dust lead hazards. These study units are a subset of a larger cohort of the nearly 3500 housing units enrolled in the Evaluation of the HUD Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program.
Please click here for more information about this project.

Rhode Island Nurses Study
This ongoing randomized, community-based clinical trial measures the impact of a careful protocol of assessment and intensive lead education in the home provided by visiting nurses to families of children with moderately elevated blood lead levels (Pb 15-19ug/dl). This study will evaluate the effectiveness of this approach with families by measuring changes in lead dust and blood lead levels over one year. This study will also evaluate the costs and benefits of intensive case management.
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Cleaning Lead Dust: How Much Cleaning is Enough?
Cleaning at the conclusion of any lead hazard control project is essential because remaining lead debris and lead contaminated dust should be removed from the dwelling prior to re-occupancy. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidelines For The Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing recommend that walls, ceilings, floors and other horizontal surfaces be cleaned using a three step process at the conclusion of all lead hazard control interventions. Two studies, undertaken in cooperation with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, examine HUD's cleaning recommendations.
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Effectiveness of Low level Treatments to Leaded Soil (Boston Soil Study)
This ongoing study evaluates the efficacy and cost effectiveness of low-level treatments to leaded soil. Low-level treatments are landscaping actions to cover areas with high soil lead levels, including framed boxes with mulch or gravel in the dripline and other areas, grass, and stepping stone or gravel pathways. We hope to demonstrate that: (1) costs can be kept low enough that property owners would be willing to do this on their own without subsidy; and (2) these treatments are durable and produce a continued reduction in soil lead exposures and home lead dust levels, thus increasing safety for young children.
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Feasibility of Lead dust Wipe by Testing by Untrained Individuals
The overall goal of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of having untrained individuals use field kits for dust lead testing after remodeling and renovation projects. 
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Review of Research on Lead Hazard Control Options
The Center commissioned this independent review of the available scientific evidence on the efficacy of controlling lead-based paint hazards in housing to fill an important gap. At the time the review was written in 1995, a number of studies had been conducted on specific lead hazard controls and how well they reduced blood and/or dust lead levels. For the first time, this report looked at the results of all those studies, to see if there was some commonality in the findings.
Click here for more information about this project.

Evaluations of Lead Hazard Interventions in Connecticut
The Center was hired by the City of Manchester, Connecticut to evaluate the effectiveness of its lead hazard control program to significantly reduce interior dust lead loadings.
Click here to read more about this project.

The Relationship of Dust Lead to Blood Lead Levels
The objectives of this study were: to determine whether dust lead loading (ug/ft²) or dust lead concentration (ug/g) is a better predictor of children's blood lead levels; to investigate whether dust sampling using vacuum methods or a wipe method is more predictive of children's blood lead levels; to identify which interior household surface(s) should routinely be sampled for dust lead measurements; and to estimate the probability of a child having an elevated blood lead level on the basis of a known level of lead in house dust, controlling for other potential exposures.
For more information about this project, please click here.

Research and Evaluation (active projects)
Training and Technical Assistance (active projects)
Training and Technical Assistance (completed projects)
Policy
Demonstration

Research and Evaluation
(Active Projects)

Research and Evaluation
(Completed Projects)

Training and Technical Assistance
(Active Projects)

Training and Technical Assistance
(Completed Projects)

Demonstration

Policy