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Health department receives $2.9 million lead-based paint grant to reduce lead hazards in Cerro Gordo county

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MASON CITY – CG Public Health has received a new federal grant of $2.9 million to continue efforts to protect children and families from the hazards of lead-based paint and from other home health and safety hazards. This competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) aims to reduce the number of children with elevated blood lead levels and protect families from lead poisoning by targeting income-eligible homes in Cerro Gordo County with lead-based paint hazards. The grant aims to repair and remove lead hazards and other health and safety hazards in 120 area homes in the next three and half years.

“Lead and other home safety issues have negatively impacted area children”, said Brian Hanft, Director of Public Health. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to remediate homes to remove lead and safety issues to offer a healthier future to area families.”

Older homes and poverty are risk factors for exposure to lead and other safety hazards. Nearly 18% of Cerro Gordo County children live in poverty* and almost 60% of homes in Cerro Gordo County were built prior to 1960** when concentration of lead in paint was higher. Lead-contaminated dust from deteriorated lead paint is the primary cause of young children’s lead exposure and can lead to a variety of health problems, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, reduced height, and impaired hearing. At higher levels, lead can damage a child’s kidneys and central nervous system and cause anemia, coma, convulsions and even death.

“These federal resources will have a huge impact on Cerro Gordo County families and area housing; this is a large step in the right direction to continue preventing lead poisoning in our children”, said Jenna Heiar, HUD Program Manager and Healthy Homes Program Coordinator.

Please contact our department or visit www.cghealth.com for more information about lead or healthy homes and how to enroll in the Cerro Gordo County Lead Hazard Control Program.

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