Inspector General Report: Asbestos Exposure a Concern on Army Posts

Residents in privatized housing on nearly 50 Army installations cited concerns with issues such as lead paint and asbestos, the toxic building material linked to mesothelioma cancer, according to a recent report from the Department of the Army Inspector General. The report, which was made public earlier this month, includes surveys, document reviews and interviews with residents at 49 Army installations across the U.S., including Fort Bragg (N.C.), Fort Campbell (Ky.) and Fort Hood in Texas. Military families at 48 of the 49 sites cited concerns with safety or environmental issues inside the aging on-base housing at the installations. Residents at all 49 locations believed the property management company “placed the interests of affiliate companies above life, health and safety.” The top environmental concerns reported in the survey include: Asbestos Mold Lead-based paint Water quality Open sewage Radon gas Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in dozens of construction materials throughout much of the 20th century to increase durability and fire resistance. Older homes, buildings and other structures built before 1980 likely contain asbestos materials such as drywall, cement, insulation, roofing and floor tile. When these materials degrade over time, they can release toxic fibers into the air. Inhaling or ingesting these microscopic fibers can lead to serious health conditions decades later, including lung cancer and meso...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news