Lead Free CT Campaign

A new campaign has been launched in Connecticut with the goal of protecting children from the harmful health impacts of lead and creating a lead-free Connecticut. The Lead Free CT campaign, overseen by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, will:

·         Make older homes where children or pregnant people live lead safe;

·         Collect information on all known lead service water lines in Connecticut;

·         Replace lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools;

·         Support families who find lead in their home or water;

·         Offer funding to get Connecticut communities lead-free;

·         Have all Connecticut children tested for lead;

·         Raise awareness of lead testing and safety among parents; and

·         Educate communities, contractors, and landlords on lead laws and safety.

On Wednesday, August 7, Governor Lamont, Senator Blumenthal, Congressman Larson, Commissioner Juthani, state Senator Saud Anwar, and officials from the Department of Public Health and Connecticut Children’s joined for the launch of the Lead Free CT campaign. As Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, Senator Anwar says he knows lead poisoning still has too strong of an impact on far too many children in our state.

“This new initiative will support lead abatement for homeowners to make homes lead-safe, collect information on where there are still lead pipes in our state, and test children for lead to make sure all have the best opportunities to learn and grow,” said Sen. Anwar. ” We owe every child in our state the best chance to grow into the adults leading our next generation and by preventing and fighting lead poisoning, we’ll get that much closer to that goal.”

“Every year, more than 1,000 Connecticut children are impacted by lead,” Governor Lamont said. “Lead poisoning can affect our children by causing health and brain changes that may impact them through school years and beyond – causing behavior problems, poor performance, and a risk of long-term, negative impacts. Based on the data of children tested in Connecticut, where blood lead levels trigger the requirement for environmental testing of the home, lead-based paint and lead dust in pre-1978 homes are the largest contributors to childhood lead exposure in homes.”

A key component of the Lead Free CT campaign includes the launch of a lead abatement program, which is providing homeowners and landlords with the opportunity to make older homes lead-safe by removing lead paint hazards at no cost. Funded by $20 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, this limited-time program will help in the safe removal of lead hazards from homes, including family childcare settings. Participation in this program is entirely voluntary and free of charge to homeowners and landlords. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is partnering with the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to administer the program.

To view eligibility details and apply, visit leadfreect.org.

Posted by Michelle Rappaport