By The Star Staff
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced that Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and 32 states would share in more than $420 million in awards to remove lead hazards from homes and HUD-assisted properties.
The funds include $2 million to remove other housing-related hazards from homes in conjunction with weatherization efforts, and nearly $10 million to facilitate research on better identifying and controlling lead and other housing-related hazards.
According to HUD, research has proven that lead exposure can result in permanent health implications, with young children being especially vulnerable due to potential impacts on the development of the central nervous system. Expectant mothers who are exposed to lead can experience reduced fetal growth and preterm birth, and for adults generally, exposure can increase the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and kidney damage.
“Some 3.6 million American households have children under 6 years of age who live in homes with lead exposure hazards, warns HUD,” said Harry Peña, president of Zimmetry Environmental, in a statement this week. “This includes homes right here in Puerto Rico. This new funding announcement is great news for local children and parents because lead poisoning is entirely preventable.”
The building science and indoor environmental quality professionals at Zimmetry provide consulting, testing, and inspection services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to lead and other hazardous substances. They have been offering such resources for over two decades to protect families, building occupants and workers. The services also help to keep businesses, organizations, and institutions in compliance with lead and other environmental, health, and safety regulations.
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