(New York, N.Y.) Over the next year, residents and
visitors who live and work around Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York will be
learning about and exchanging important environmental information with
Make the Road New York to combat the risks of lead paint poisoning and
exposure to pesticides, thanks to an environmental justice grant from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The community-based
organization will utilize surveys, community meetings and other
participatory tools to conduct research and educate communities on the
dangers of exposure to a variety of toxic substances commonly found in
urban settings. Acting EPA Regional Administrator George Pavlou
presented the $20,000 grant to members of Make the Road New York during
a ceremony held today in Brooklyn.

“EPA’s environmental justice grants are an important
tool for ensuring that all our communities are equally protected from
environmental hazards," said George Pavlou, Acting EPA Regional
Administrator. "This partnership with Make the Road New York will help
empower local communities to learn and take steps to combat
environmental health hazards where they live, gather and work.”

"This EPA environmental Justice grant will greatly
help Make the Road NY conduct research and educate the community in
order to reduce the toxic risks of lead paint and pesticides in
Bushwick,” said Make the Road’s Jesse Goldman. “Lead poisoning and
exposure to pesticides are some of the most serious environmental
health threats facing children today.” Make the Road New York promotes
economic justice, equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers through
community, advocacy and many other support services.

The research will identify the level of exposure to
those risks and the reasons for that exposure. Residents will be
educated on ways they can reduce their individual and household
exposure, the dangers of lead paint poisoning and how to identify
household toxics. Make the Road will promote healthier alternatives,
such as the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices as an
alternative to toxic household pesticides.

For the full press release please click here to visit the EPA website. 

Photo by Claudio Papapietro, 2009, for Make the Road New York.