MASON CITY – The Cerro Gordo County Public Health Department has received $2.1 million in federal grant funding to continue their efforts protecting children and families from the hazards of lead-based paint and other home health and safety issues. 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 containing lead-based paint. The grant aims to repair and remove lead hazards and other health and safety hazards in 65 area homes in the next four years.
“The adverse effects of lead and other home safety concerns have taken a toll on children in our communities,” said Mark Mathre, HUD program manager and environmental health specialist with CG Public Health. “Inspired by the work we have done in the past, we are thrilled by the opportunity to rehabilitate more homes, eliminating lead and safety issues, and ultimately providing a healthier and more promising future for families in our county.”
Older homes and poverty are both risk factors for exposure to lead and other safety hazards. Nearly 13% of Cerro Gordo County children live in poverty* and almost 55% 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.
Mark Mathre, continued to express his optimism, stating, “These federal resources will make a significant impact on Cerro Gordo County families and housing. This represents a substantial step forward in our ongoing efforts to prevent lead poisoning in our children.”
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.
