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Report Finds Asbestos, Other Risks in Military Family Housing

Date Published: 05/11/2020 [Source]

U.S. military families around the world are living in government-owned and -operated housing containing serious health and safety risks, according to the most recent report by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.

The report stems from the inspection of eight military installations — seven outside the U.S. — that uncovered systemic deficiencies in the management and mitigation of asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paints and radon in family housing units.

According to the report, the safety hazards were so rampant — and so lacking in oversight — in all eight installations that other government-run military bases likely have the same issues.

The report uncovered problems such as flaking lead-based paint, inadequate management of radon seeping into homes through the foundations and a failure to monitor drinking water supplies.

Just three of the eight installations had asbestos mitigation programs. Only one had an active radon mitigation program.

It was also recommended that military service branches "direct installation officials to correct specific lead-based paint, asbestos-containing material, radon, fire safety and drinking water quality health and safety hazard management deficiencies discussed in this report."