The Office advises the Secretary, as well as all HUD program offices and field offices on lead poisoning prevention issues.
Lead poisoning occurs when people eat or breathe unsafe amounts of lead.
Primary pathways for lead poisoning are soil, drinking water, and surface dust, which is the principal source. Highly dangerous to humans, especially children, lead poisoning can result in reduced intelligence, behavioral problems, learning disabilities and permanent brain damage. More than 1.7 million children have unsafe blood levels, making lead poisoning the number one environmental health hazard for children under the age of six. Most of those children are poisoned from deteriorated paint and contaminated dust and soil. Lead-based paint activities include abatement, inspection, and risk assessment in target housing.