A new state program to help residents remove dangerous lead hazards, such as lead paint, from homes is now accepting applications.

"Lead Free CT" is a new statewide campaign focused on protecting children from the harmful health impacts of lead and helping to create a lead-free home environment.

A key component of Lead Free CT includes a targeted lead abatement program, providing homeowners and landlords with the opportunity to make older homes lead-safe by removing lead paint hazards at no cost. Many Connecticut homes built before 1978 contain lead paint, which can be unsafe for children.

Funded by $20 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, this program will help in the safe removal of lead hazards from homes, including family childcare settings free of charge to homeowners and landlords. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is partnering with the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to administer the program.

Goals of the program include:

✔️ Making older homes where children or pregnant women live lead safe
✔️ Collecting information on all known lead service water lines in Connecticut
✔️ Replacing lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools
✔️ Supporting families who find lead in their home or water
✔️ Offering funding to get Connecticut communities lead-free
✔️ Having all Connecticut children tested for lead
✔️ Raising awareness of lead testing and safety among parents
✔️ Educating communities, contractors, and landlords on lead laws and safety

To learn more, visit leadfreect.org. This is a limited-time program, so those who are interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

DPH is planning for subsequent phases of the program to include community engagement for lead service line replacement and testing drinking water for lead at daycares and schools.

You can read more on Lead Free CT in this article from CT Mirror.