BOSTON — A Lewiston-based corporation was awarded $120,000 Thursday for work to address environmental justice issues.

The Environmental Protection Agency said the Central Maine Community Health Corp. has been selected to receive the funds as part of an effort to address environmental and public health disparities in minority, low-income, tribal and indigenous populations.

“Many rural and disadvantaged communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental health risks, such as lead exposure or unsafe drinking water,” EPA acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler wrote in a news release. “EPA is committed to supporting local partnerships that will improve the environment and health of these underserved communities.”

According to the release, Central Maine Community Health Corp. and its partners “seek to help underserved residents who experience extreme poverty and disproportionate housing-related health impacts, including lead exposure and asthma, by increasing the number of healthy residential housing units and empowering those residents to access healthy housing.”

“This EPA funding will directly help this Lewiston-area organization in their efforts to improve health and quality of life in an historically underserved area,” wrote EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn. “This work will help with critical efforts to address human health issues related to asthma, exposure to lead, and other environmental factors. Addressing environmental justice issues in our work is a priority as we work to make a positive difference in the lives of New England citizens.”

For more information about the 2018 EJ CPS projects visit epa.gov.