American senators are awaiting an explanation from the US Army about lead poisoning of children at its bases.
Elevated lead levels were reported in more than 1,000 young children tested at military clinics between 2011 and 2016, according to a Reuters investigation published earlier this week.
A handful of senators wrote a letter to the army demanding “a detailed briefing” in regard to lead poisoning at on-base housing at bases in Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Kentucky.
Senators Tim Kaine, David Perdue, Mark Warner and Johnny Isakson sent the letter to Army Secretary Mark Esper Friday after lead poisoning at the bases was revealed.
“The health and safety of our service members and their families are of the utmost importance,” they wrote. “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…