National Survey of Lead and Allergen Hazards in Housing
Condition: Asthma; Allergy
MeSH terms: Hypersensitivity
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      We propose to conduct a scientifically valid, descriptive survey to measure the prevalence
      and levels of lead in dust, soil, and paint, and the prevalence and levels of various indoor
      allergens in floor and bedding dust in the nation's housing stock. The survey strategy is a
      population-based, multi-stage area probability sample designed to represent all 50 states.
      The survey will include approximately 1000 homes in at least 100 primary sampling units (PSU,
      a metropolitan area or cluster of counties). Residents of candidate participant housing units
      (HUs) will initially be contacted by a letter to introduce and provide a brief explanation of
      the study. A field interviewer will then visit each candidate HU to screen and recruit
      eligible units into the study. A short Screening Questionnaire will be administered to an
      adult HU resident and an invitation will be extended to those HUs that are eligible to
      participate in the study. A field data collection visit will be scheduled for the following
      week, at the resident's convenience. The collection visit will be conducted by two member
      team (including the same field interviewer that will conduct the screening/recruiting visit)
      and will consist of administration of an informed consent form and Data Collection
      Questionnaire, completion of home observation forms, collection of interior dust and exterior
      soil samples, and conduct of nondestructive paint lead analysis on both interior and exterior
      walls. Soil and dust samples will be shipped to analytical laboratories for lead and allergen
      analysis. Extensive survey design, procedure, and reporting details are provided in the
      National Survey Lead Hazards and Allergens in Housing: Protocol and Sample Design Report
      (Attachment A). It is anticipated that this study will provide allergen-specific data
      regarding: 1) housing conditions, demographic factors, and climate to facilitate evaluation
      of regional, ethnic, socioeconomic, and housing characteristic differences in the indoor
      allergen burden; 2) an estimate of indoor allergen exposure in the U.S. population; 3)
      baseline data that can be used to stimulate future studies which attempt to correlate
      allergen exposure to disease outcome. The study will yield lead hazard data to: 1) estimate
      the number and percent of homes with dust and soil lead levels above selected thresholds; 2)
      identify sources of lead in dust in housing; 3) permit future analysis of lead hazard control
      strategies an costs, including associated policy and regulatory guidelines.
    

Detailed description: 
      We propose to conduct a scientifically valid, descriptive survey to measure the prevalence
      and levels of lead in dust, soil, and paint, and the prevalence and levels of various indoor
      allergens in floor and bedding dust in the nation's housing stock. The survey strategy is a
      population-based, multi-stage area probability sample designed to represent all 50 states.
      The survey will include approximately 1000 homes in at least 100 primary sampling units (PSU,
      a metropolitan area or cluster of counties). Residents of candidate participant housing units
      (HUs) will initially be contacted by a letter to introduce and provide a brief explanation of
      the study. A field interviewer will then visit each candidate HU to screen and recruit
      eligible units into the study. A short Screening Questionnaire will be administered to an
      adult HU resident and an invitation will be extended to those HUs that are eligible to
      participate in the study. A field data collection visit will be scheduled for the following
      week, at the resident's convenience. The collection visit will be conducted by a two member
      team (including the same field interviewer that will conduct the screening/recruiting visit)
      and will consist of administration of an informed consent form and Data Collection
      Questionnaire, completion of home observation forms, collection of interior dust and exterior
      soil samples, and conduct of nondestructive paint lead analyses on both interior and exterior
      walls. Soil and dust samples will be shipped to analytical laboratories for lead and allergen
      analysis. Extensive survey design, procedure, and reporting details are provided in the
      National Survey Lead Hazards and Allergens in Housing: Protocol and Sample Design Report. It
      is anticipated that this study will provide allergen-specific data regarding: 1) housing
      conditions, demographic factors, and climate to facilitate evaluation of regional, ethnic,
      socioeconomic, and housing characteristic differences in the indoor allergen burden; 2) an
      estimate of indoor allergen exposure in the U.S. population; 3) baseline data that can be
      used as a reference point for future allergen surveys; and 4) a database that can be used to
      stimulate future studies which attempt to correlate allergen exposure to disease outcome. The
      study will yield lead hazard data to: 1) estimate the number and percent of homes with dust
      and soil lead levels above selected thresholds; 2) identify sources of lead in dust in
      housing; 3) permit future analysis of lead hazard control strategies and costs, including
      associated policy and regulatory guidelines.
    

Observational model: Other
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        A nationally representative sample of 831 housing units, inhabited by 2,456 individuals,
        within 75 different locations throughout the US was surveyed.
      
Keywords: Asthma; Exposure; Home; Indoor; Allergy