Broome Co. Health Department awarded $6.3M grant for lead poisoning advocacy

(WBNG) -- In honor of “Lead Poisoning Prevention Week,” the Broome County Health Department and Broome County Executive Jason Garnar held a news conference announcing the winners of the 2023 Lead Advocacy and Diagnostic Awards.

At the event, officials announced the Broome County Health Department was awarded a $6.3 million grant. The department was granted the award from Housing & Urban Development to address lead-based paint and safety hazards in low-income houses throughout the county.

The program will provide funding to correct hazards in around 180 housing units over the next four years.

”It is very important that all children be tested for lead at the age of 1 and again at the age of 2 this is to ensure that if they are lead poison it can be caught immediately and their exposure can be reduced,” said Broome County Public Health Educator Chelsea Reome-Nedlik.

The grant will be available for privately owned rental and owner-occupied homes built before 1978 in Broome County.

To find out if you qualify, contact the Broome County Health Department at 607-778-2848.

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