Grants To Reduce Lead Poisoning Available
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering $750,000 in new grant funding to prevent poisoning from lead paint in high risk areas. The incidence of childhood lead poisoning has been reduced by half since the early 1990s, and the agency’s stated goal is to eliminate lead poisoning in children by 2010.
Under a new competitive lead grant program, the EPA will provide funding to communities having high rates of elevated blood lead levels, as well as to communities where there are conditions associated with elevated blood lead levels.
Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning because of their metabolism and hand-to-mouth activity. Lead can cause neurological problems and learning disabilities in young children.
State and local governments, federally-recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal consortia, territories, institutions of higher learning and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for grants that will range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Applicants must represent communities with historical and likely incidences of elevated blood lead levels. Proposals should include ways to address unique and challenging issues in lead-poisoning prevention, particularly ones that could be replicated in other high-risk areas, the agency says.
Applicants should submit written applications on plain paper to regional lead contacts. Decisions will be made on the basis of this informal application; successful applicants will then be required to submit the full application.
The grantees will be announced in April 2005.
