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EPA Lead Program Grant Fact Sheet
EPA's Targeted Lead Grants
EPA's Targeted Lead Grant Program funds projects in areas with high incidences of children with elevated blood-lead levels in vulnerable populations. In 2007 the Agency awarded more than $5.2 million in grants under this ambitious program. These targeted grants are intended to address immediate needs of the communities in which they are awarded, and will also highlight lead poison prevention strategies that can be used in similar communities across the country.
EPA's lead program is playing a major role in meeting the federal goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning as a major public health concern by 2010, and the projects supported by these grant funds are an important part of this ongoing effort. According to the Centers for Disease Control in 1978 there were 13.5 million children in the US with elevated blood lead levels. By 2002, that number had dropped to 310,000.
The Medical Foundation Ending Lead Poisoning in Boston
EPA has selected the Medical Foundation Lead Action Collaborative (LAC) project in Boston, Massachusetts, for a Targeted Lead Grant.
The $100,000 project titled "Ending Lead Poisoning in Boston: Targeting Hot Spots" will implement LAC's strategic Blueprint to End Childhood Lead Poisoning in Boston. The LAC was formed in 1993 and has over 70 diverse member organizations including nonprofit groups, health care organizations, and federal and state government agencies. The project will assess and evaluate 13 neighborhood census tracts in Roxbury, Mattapan and Hyde Park that have the highest remaining childhood lead poisoning rates in Boston.
The project will identify the areas of greatest remaining risk and focus available resources across contributing partners (education, outreach, training, inspections, enforcement and renovation) for maximum benefit. The project is integrated into the state's strategic plan and select measurable results include:
- A 50% reduction in childhood lead poisoning rates in Boston over a two year period;
- Reaching over 3,000 people through a minimum of 25 education and outreach events and making 200 units of housing lead-safe in the highest risk Boston neighborhoods;
- Deploying the Community Assessment tool in 13 census tracts to identify remaining lead risk;
- Inspecting 100% of homes with children under six that are on the highest risk homes list;
- Moving 50% of homes identified as in violation to abatement or interim controls; and
- Connecting 30% of property owners with the highest risk units to housing support services.
For more information about EPA's Lead Program, visit www.epa.gov/lead or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.