A recent Reuters report highlighting cases of lead poisoning at on-base housing at Georgia’s Fort Benning has caught the attention of U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA). The two Georgia Senators recently joined with Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) in sending a letter to the secretary of the U.S. Army raising their concerns.
“We write to you today concerned about recent reports of lead poisoning at a number of Army installations. The health and safety of our service members and their families are of the utmost importance,” the senators wrote.
The report referenced in the letter highlights cases of lead poisoning at on-base housing at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Hood, Texas, and a 2015 Department of Defense Inspector General report that found lead paint hazards at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
The letter also states that Reuters conducted tests at five homes at Fort Benning “using methodology designed with a Columbia University Geochemist. All five homes contained hazardous levels of deteriorating lead paint with one home far exceeding the federal threshold.”
According to the report released late last week by Reuters, “Medical data shows that 31 children living in on-post housing at the Army’s Fort Benning suffered harmful levels of lead poisoning.” The report pointed to The Villages of Benning, which the website says is comprised of housing complexes for married and single soldiers.”
Information released Friday by Senators Isakson and Perdue states that while the sale of lead-based paint is banned in the United States, many older homes still have the old paint on walls, which can become dangerous to children as it peels and chips. Young children are most susceptible to lead poisoning and face long-term developmental delays.
“We ask that you provide our offices with a detailed briefing as soon as possible outlining the immediate and long-term mitigation strategy to keep military families safe, provide medical treatment for those potentially or previously affected, make long-lasting repairs, and finally, provide legislative proposals or guidance on legislation needed to hold maintenance contractors accountable,” the senators concluded.
Read the Reuters report. The test of the letter can be found here.
