Brown Lauds Funding for Federal Programs that Eliminate Deadly Lead-Based Paint Hazards from Homes and Monitor Lead Exposure in Children

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced funding for critical federal programs at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2016. These programs help prevent lead poising, monitor lead exposure in children, and eliminate lead hazards in homes.

"Lead exposure, even in small amounts, can have a significant impact on a child's development and their ability to learn in school. That's why it is so important to monitor lead exposure in our children and take steps to remove lead hazards from homes," said Brown. "Federal programs at HUD and CDC are critical to decreasing exposure to lead. This year's funding levels are good news for communities in Ohio, but we can always do more. I will keep working to ensure that these programs have the resources they need to be effective."

"Senator Brown has always understood that if you're concerned about school performance, economic development, human capital and equal opportunity for success, you need to think about childhood lead poisoning and asthma, and the importance of healthy home environments for our families," said Terry Allan, Health Commission for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. "While great strides have been made to combat home health hazards, much important work remains for our most vulnerable families. This increase in funds sends an important message; that our nation has not forgotten about these kids."

In Cleveland last month, Brown warned against cuts to the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. According to reports from the Plain Dealer, more than 187,000 homes in Cuyahoga County are at risk of having elevated lead poisoning levels due to their year of construction and the likely presence of lead-based paint. Of that total, only 4,300 homes since 1993 have utilized federal funds to reduce lead hazards in homes after a child has received a positive lead test.

The CDC's Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is the only federal program that provides funding for states and local health departments to conduct surveillance of where, how, and when children are exposed to lead. Brown wrote to Senate Appropriators in March urging them to support $29 million for this fund. The year-end appropriations bill included $17 million for this program, which is a $2 million increase from FY 2015.

HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes helps protect children from health and safety hazards related to lead-based paint and other home hazards. It has directly addressed lead and other hazards in at least 414,000 homes over the last two decades. Brown wrote to Senate Appropriators urging them to support President Obama's $120 million funding request for FY 2016. The year-end appropriations bill included $110 million for this program, which is consistent with its funding level for FY 2015.

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