A bipartisan quartet of senators is demanding the U.S. Army disclose what it is doing to protect children from lead poisoning after an investigation from Reuters detailed hazards at numerous bases.
Reuters reported Saturday that the four senators sent a letter on Friday to the U.S. Army. The news agency reported that more than 1,000 young children at military clinics had elevated lead levels from 2011 to 2016.
Reuters said it also found that several bases weren’t reporting child blood test results to state health departments per state law.
“The report also raises concerns that the Army has discouraged certified testing to identify deteriorating lead paint in base homes,” the letter added.
Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner of Virginia signed on to the letter, as did Republican Sens. David Perdue and Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Reuters said.
The senators want the Army to detail how it will handle the situation and what it is doing to ensure the safety of military families.
