Original Date: 04/07/1997
Revision Date: 04/14/2003

In August 1992, Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) began working on a Lead-based Paint Program by forming a process action team and sending two employees to training to learn the requirements and procedures to mitigate the lead exposure risk. From October 29, 1992 through September 2, 1994, several regulations and laws were passed requiring military bases to perform surveys in all housing constructed prior to 1978, day care centers, and all areas frequented by children under six years old for the presence of lead-based paint and associated hazards. Many military bases chose to use X-ray Fluorescence testing which identifies lead on all painted surfaces in a building. This method does not eliminate or identify all existing lead hazards.

In September 1994, RIA formed the Lead-based Management Team. The team was chaired by the RIA Commander with representatives from Public Works, Housing, Medical, Environmental, Safety, Legal, and Public Affairs, along with the Family Child Care Coordinator and the Child Development Services Coordinator. The assessment approach was to consider that all painted surfaces contained lead and placed the emphasis on identifying lead hazards and their source. A rating system was developed for housing units to be used to assign personnel. Personnel with children or pregnant women are assigned to housing with the lowest risk of exposure. The ratings are based on the potential for lead exposure, based on dust samples from the interior of the houses, soil samples, and deteriorated paint samples. The RIA Medical Department has also implemented an aggressive blood level screening program for all children six years old or younger. All tenants are given information on lead-based paint hazards regardless of the rating on the housing they are assigned.

A significant monetary savings on the initial surveys was realized. The children are protected through selective assignments on housing, and the screening program has identified several children living in off-base housing who had excessive exposure to lead. The interim controls versus whole house abatement programs have also provided considerable savings.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.