Armories -Oregon National Guard.JPG
National Guard soldiers from Southern Oregon participate in weapons qualifications practice and testing at the Umatilla Army Depot in Hermiston, Oregon. Photo by Beth Nakamura/Staff OregonLive/Oregonian.
(Beth Nakamura | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
Following a report on dangerous levels of lead dust in U.S. National Guard armories across the nation, MassLive is seeking public records on the facilities in Massachusetts.
The Oregonian/OregonLive in Portland, a sister news site of MassLive.com, undertook an 18-month investigation that found the "scope of the contamination across the country is staggering."
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"Inspectors have found lead dust at alarming levels in armory gyms, drill halls, conference rooms, hallways, stairwells, kitchens, pantries, offices, bathrooms and a day care center, records and interviews show," The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The National Guard was aware of the lead problem in the 1990s, according to the report.
The Massachusetts National Guard bills itself as "the Nation's First," noting that it was first founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia in 1636.
According to the Executive Office of Public Safety, 8,200 soldiers and airmen serve in the air and army units of the Massachusetts National Guard.
The Massachusetts National Guard has 44 facilities in 38 communities, including Agawam, Chicopee, Concord, Dorchester, Fall River, Framingham, Gardner, Melrose, Northampton, Pittsfield, Quincy, Rehoboth, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield and Worcester, among other locations.
On its website, the Mass. National Guard notes, "Armories may also be rented to the general public for non-military purposes. Past events have included elections, indoor sports, fundraisers, craft fairs and other community events."
MassLive.com filed a public records request with the Executive Office of Public Safety this week to obtain the Massachusetts records.