News you can use
I was initially going to focus this blog on a lot of random (yet good and compelling) stuff that has come my way recently.
I changed my mind yesterday when I received news that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed the blood lead level from 10 micrograms per deciliter to 5.
Housing question of the week: Why should we care about CDC changing lead levels?
This is the first time in 20 years that CDC has changed the definition of lead poisoning.
When we are talking about 5 micrograms per liter, we're talking about very small amounts. These very small amounts can do great harm. Lead is a neurotoxin, and can affect everything from the ability to pay attention to death.
Lead poisoning is preventable.
The only way to know if someone has elevated blood lead levels is to test.
Where does this information fit on the ISSUE TEAMS?
I am going to put lead poisoning prevention under safety. I see lead poisoning prevention fitting in well to the safety team, that is, reducing risk. It's all about healthy housing.
Since I am on Issue Team Safety and Issue Team Environment, I'd like to see some measurables from these areas. Of course, there is always unplanned time.
Housing picture
Janna Kelley (Pontatoc Co) recently sent me these photos, inquiring about mold. To make a long story short, there was a pregnant woman that had moved into the home, and was concerned about the mold.
Now, I can look at this house and see the following:
- It was built before 1978 (I can tell by the style)
- The window is painted (friction/impact surface)
- The window is compromised
The first person who can correctly explain (in the context of today's blog) why this concerns me receives a healthy homes tool of my choice.
UPDATE:
The winner is Dr. Atiles! The answer he provided is the best because he mentioned the pregnant woman and dust. Pregnant women that ingest lead pass it to the fetus. Most lead poisonings are caused by lead dust that you can't see.
Here is his response: You have deteriorating paint off the window and window sill which must likely is lead paint and the lead dust will harm the pregnant mother blood stream that feeds the fetus and will likely create a problem in the child's brain (nervous system).
The second runner up is Jan Maples! Dr. Atiles is donating his prize to Jan. Congrats to both of you!
Anything else I can think of that might help you in your work.
- I am going to work with Leilana to do a news release about this. In the meantime, if you want more info, please visit the Institutes of Health release http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_125245.html.
- There is a GRANT opportunity focusing on veterans. Many returned veterans have ... you guessed it! Young children. If you would like to pursue this, please let me know.
The Home Depot Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle of Home Depot, has announced that it is accepting applications for its Community Impact Grants Program from nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and public service agencies in the United States that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. Given the realities of the current housing market, the foundation is prioritizing projects that help military veterans stay in their homes comfortably. More competitive grant proposals will specifically identify projects for veterans and will include housing repairs, modifications, and weatherization work. Proposals for the following community improvement activities will be considered: repairs, refurbishments, and modifications to low-income and/or transitional veteran's housing, or community facilities (schools, community centers, senior centers, etc.); weatherizing or increasing energy efficiency of low-income and/or transitional veterans' housing, or community facilities; and planting trees or community gardens and/or landscaping community facilities that serve veterans. Grants must support work completed by community volunteers in the U.S. Only registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, tax-exempt public schools, and tax-exempt public agencies in the U.S. are eligible to apply. Grants of up to $5,000 will be made in the form of Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. August 13, 2012 is the deadline.
That's all for now ... thank you!
GP
