During pregnancy lead can harm unborn children. Funding for the Center is provided by grants from the Fannie Mae Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Freddie Mac Foundation and other foundations, contracts with various state and local agencies, and additional funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Childhood lead poisoning affects almost one million children across the country, yet is entirely preventable. A major cause of lead poisoning is known to be deteriorating lead-based paint, and the dust and contaminated soil that come from it, in 64 million residences. Previous efforts to address the problem have failed largely because responses have been uncoordinated and deemed impractical.
Pediatricians treating poisoned children often have no control over the home environment.
Housing programs have been stymied by lack of funding to control sources of lead exposure and by a perception that lead poisoning is a health problem, not a housing issue. Others believe the lead problem was settled after lead was largely eliminated from gasoline and soldered food cans. The Center works to end this impasse by developing, validating, and promoting the nationwide adoption of cost-effective, practical strategies that sharply reduce childhood lead poisoning and preserve the nation's stock of affordable housing at the same time. The Center sponsors research on methods to reduce lead hazards and scientifically assess risks. The National Center for Lead-Safe Housing 10227 Wincopin Circle, Suite 205 Columbia, MD 21044.