WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Bart Gordon announced that Middle Tennessee State University has been awarded $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reduce hazards posed by lead.
“Lead poisoning can cause a whole range of health problems, from behavioral issues and learning disabilities to seizures and even death,” said Congressman Gordon. “This grant will allow MTSU to help Tennessee families understand the risks associated with lead and identify if this material is a hazard in their homes.”
MTSU received the $300,000 grant from U.S. Housing Department’s Lead Outreach Program to raise public awareness and knowledge about lead poisoning. The grant will be used to develop a coalition of partnerships across Tennessee that will provide lead hazard control training, outreach and education to families in Tennessee.
“Exposure to lead is especially harmful to children – it actually inhibits development of the brain,” said Dr. Kathy Mathis, MTSU’s project director and an associate professor in the University’s Engineering Technology Department. “This is the fourth grant we’ve received from the U.S. Housing Department. We’ll use these funds to focus on getting essential information out to the people of Tennessee about the hazards posed by lead. We appreciate Congressman Gordon’s continued support and the confidence that the U.S. Housing Department has placed in MTSU.”
The grant will specifically be used to provide 2,034 individuals with lead outreach through home visits, reach an additional 1.7 million people through public media, and participate in more than 70 health fairs and community events throughout the state of Tennessee.
“MTSU has long been committed to eliminating lead hazards.” added Gordon, “I remain committed to helping the University and other Middle Tennessee agencies continue this important work.”
