SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – Sullivan County is receiving federal funding during Children’s Health Month to protect children from lead poisoning.

In a news release from Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office, New Hampshire’s Federal Delegation announced that more than $19 million has been allocated to New Hampshire from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program.

The money is meant to help protect families with small children from the dangers of lead-based paint exposure.

Specifically, $4 million has been allocated to Sullivan County, while the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority is receiving about $7.75 million, and the remaining $7.7 million is being allocated to the City of Nashua.

“The science is clear: there is no safe amount of lead exposure—particularly for young children,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I’m pleased to join the rest of the delegation in welcoming these resources heading to Nashua, Bedford, and Newport to help remediate older homes and apartments that contain lead paint and protect our communities from hazardous chemicals.

Senator Shaheen is a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and according to the release, helped lead an annual letter requesting funding from the Office of Lead Control and Healthy Homes at HUD, which administers the Lead Hazard Reduction grant program.

“Lead-based paint poses a serious health threat to children, and in states like New Hampshire where many of our neighborhoods have older housing stock, we must make every effort to protect families,” said Senator Shaheen. “This federal funding will help protect Granite State children from lead poisoning and exposure to other dangerous contaminants in their homes.”

Senator Maggie Hassan echoed Shaheen’s comments.

“New Hampshire’s children need safe places to live in order to thrive, but lead-based paint in older homes continues to jeopardize their health and development,” said Senator Hassan. “This federal funding to fix homes with lead paint is not only an important investment in the health of our children, but it also will preserve access to affordable housing in New Hampshire – giving more Granite Staters the safe homes and communities that they deserve.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is hosting a series of webinars during National Lead Poisoning Prevention week October 20-26. More information is available on the CDC’s website.