RISE Joins National Task Force Fighting Health Threats in Low Income Housing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Angela Bendorf Jamison, 919-212-3426, angela@communicopiaPR.com

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Allen James comments to task force
NOAAH

WASHINGTON (Dec. 5, 2001) - As a member of a new national task force dedicated to fighting serious health threats to families in low-income housing, Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), alerted the group to the significant health and safety risks posed by pests at the Dec. 5 launch of the Healthy Homes Initiative.

James represents the pest management supplier industry on the Healthy Homes Initiative task force, formed by the National Association of African Americans in Housing (NOAAH). NOAAH is comprised of 140 organizations and individuals dedicated to managing, building and improving low- and moderate- income housing and is working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on many projects. NOAAH Executive Director Kevin Marchman served as the HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing in the Clinton Administration.

The Task Force is focusing its efforts on the health threats posed by lead paint, pests and mold. "These threats in housing can rob children of their health and cause permanent damage or even death in the most extreme cases, " said Task Force Chairman Michael Kelly, who is executive director of the Washington, D.C. Housing Authority. "Lead paint, pests and mold are intolerable threats that we will work together to eliminate."

The task force will issue a report in 2002 that will document the extent of these health threats in low-income housing and will propose practical steps to substantially reduce the threats. Recommendations from Allen James delivered during the Dec. 5 task force launch held in Washington, D.C., will be a part of the report.

James told the task force, "Our industry has long recognized the significant threat pests, such as cockroaches, rats and other vermin pose to the public and particularly to children living in low- and moderate-income housing. Pesticides are an important part of an overall pest management strategy."

Other Task Force members include the National Association of Home Builders, the Denver Housing Authority, the Housing Authority of New Orleans; the Tampa Housing Authority and affordable housing development companies ATC and CVR.

RISE is the national association representing the manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders involved with pesticide products used in turf, ornamental, pest control, aquatic and terrestrial vegetation management and other non-food/fiber applications.

For more information about the Healthy Homes Initiative and the National Organization of African Americans in Housing, go to www.noaah.org.

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