Ashland, Ore. — A test has found high levels of lead dust inside the Ashland armory on East Main Street in Ashland.
Major Stephen Bomar, the Director of Public Affairs with the Oregon Military Department said they found the lead dust after proactively conducting testing at their older facilities.
The lead dust is most likely from indoor firing ranges. They have since been closed.
According to Bomar, lead was only found in certain areas and is not in the air.
“The air quality is good,” began Bomar over the phone.
“It’s not all over the armory, it’s not on the floors. It’s in higher level duct areas and in other specific areas on the roof… some of the locations [tested] came back with nothing,” he said.
Right now the Oregon Military Department is cleaning the facilities affected and will go back and retest for lead contamination.
Bomar said contamination levels at the Ashland armory were about 41 times higher than what is considered safe.
Armories in Pendleton and Bend also had high levels of lead dust.
So far only the armory in Forest Grove has closed due to lead concerns.
Some of the people who frequently work inside the contaminated buildings have had blood tests done. They’ve come back normal.
Letters will be sent out to people who have rented out the facilities.
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