Senator Baldwin Delivers Nearly $2 Million to Keep Wausau Families Safe from Lead Contamination

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced the City of Wausau will receive $1,984,999 to keep families safe from lead contamination. The investment will help Wausau identify and address dangerous lead-based paint in residential homes, including during renovation, remodeling, and maintenance activities. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building program — which received funding through the Baldwin-supported bipartisan 2022 government funding bill.

“Far too many families across Wisconsin are hurting because of lead contamination, robbing kids of a healthy, successful life at no fault of their own,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to give our communities the resources they need to get rid of dangerous lead-based paint and help ensure every family has a safe place to live.”

“I am absolutely thrilled that HUD is awarding the City of Wausau nearly $2 million in funds through their Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building program,” said Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg. “We applied for this grant so that as we are replacing the 8,000 remaining lead service lines in the city, we can also provide underserved residents an opportunity to test and remediate other home lead hazards such as lead paint and lead windows. I’m so proud to partner with Senator Baldwin and the Biden-Harris Administration to make Wausau a safer community for all residents.”

Lead exposure and poisoning can cause irreversible damage to children, including damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech problems. Adults exposed to lead paint can suffer from high blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, diminished motor skills, fatigue, and memory loss.

The funding for Wausau can be used to help identify the prevalence of childhood lead poisoning among children under six years, invest in efforts to safely address lead hazards during renovation, remodeling, and maintenance activities, provide operational support, and hire staff, among other related tasks.

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