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WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today cheered the announcement that the Rensselaer County Department of Health is being awarded $2,182,036 to help eliminate lead and other health hazards from the households of low-income families. This grant was administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LBPHR) Grant Program.

“We know the severe and lasting health damages caused by exposure to lead, and children are at greatest risk to these dangers,” Congressman Tonko said. “Despite this heavy toll, many families continue to be exposed to these threats simply because the cost to remove them is too great for them to pay on their own. For years, I’ve pushed for federal investments that get these dangerous contaminants out of our communities, and I’m grateful to see this funding do just that. My congratulations to Rensselaer on this critical and well-deserved award.”

Tonko has long championed legislation that funds lead removal efforts and addresses community exposure to dangerous toxins. He led the push to replace millions of drinking water lines contaminated with lead, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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