MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin National Guard officials said crews are cleaning all affected areas of armories that tested positive for lead at levels higher than the federal safety standard.
Federal documents reviewed by The Oregonian newspaper showed that hundreds of armories nationwide had high levels of dust made from the metal. In National Guard armories lead levels are a concern because many either have or had an indoor firing range.
All of the 39 Wisconsin armories with testing records, showed traces of lead, the Wisconsin State Journal (https://bit.ly/2hA4MVq ) reported. While many did not at the time exceed the 200 micrograms per square foot federal standard spaces, 18 of the armories tested significantly higher than the federal standard.
According to The Oregonian newspaper lead dust was also found where “pregnant women and mothers with infants learned about nutrition.”
The two armories in Madison didn’t test positive for lead levels higher than the standard.
Wisconsin National Guard Deputy Director Capt. Joe Trovato said all affected areas have been or will be cleaned. He said community facility rentals will be suspended until the work is done.
The newspaper was unable to collect lead testing records for the other 24 Wisconsin armories.
According to Trovato all of the Wisconsin facilities have been tested.
Records for 2016 tests were not readily available.
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Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, https://www.madison.com/wsj
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