November 13, 2024

Duckworth, Durbin Lead Delegation Letter Urging GSA to Act to Remediate Elevated Levels of Lead and Legionella Found in Federal Buildings in Chicago, Rockford

In a letter to GSA leadership, Duckworth, Durbin and members of the Illinois delegation urge the agency to prioritize remediating drinking water concerns in four federal buildings

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01) sent a letter to the leadership of the General Services Administration (GSA) requesting answers on how the agency will address the elevated levels of lead and Legionella found in four government buildings.  In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized the urgency around remediation and ensuring the health and safety of the employees who work in these buildings.

“We write regarding serious health and safety concerns at the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, and the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, in Chicago, as well as the Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse Building in Rockford, Illinois,” the lawmakers began their letter.

As mandated by the GSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for all GSA-owned and -leased spaces, the four government buildings had their water tested earlier this year as part of an effort to establish more stringent water monitoring in federal buildings.  The Metcalfe Building tested above federal limits for lead, copper, and Legionella, with the building’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 office and a child care center in the building reporting the highest levels of contamination.  Both the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building also were found to have elevated levels of lead, copper and Legionella—and reports indicate that this issue has been ongoing for the past year.  The Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse Building was found to have exceedances of Legionella.

The lawmakers continued their letter, stressing the danger of exposure to lead, copper and Legionella, particularly for the children attending the child care center in the Metcalfe Building. 

“Exposure to Legionella can cause severe pneumonia, and elevated levels of lead and copper are linked with potential liver and kidney damage, as well as neurological disorders.  Studies show that children in particular are impacted by lead—not only do children drink more water per pound of body weight than adults, lower levels of lead cause greater impacts on children than in fully-developed adults, including brain damage, learning disabilities, and other academic and behavioral challenges,” the lawmakers wrote. 

The lawmakers sought answers from GSA about remediation efforts, asking GSA about an expected timeline for remediation, alternative accommodations for staff and support for staff and children who may be at risk for serious health conditions after exposure to elevated levels of lead, copper and Legionella.

“We would like to request an update regarding GSA’s efforts to remediate these drinking water concerns, including an update on the extent of the contamination in all three federal buildings,” the lawmakers wrote.  “What accommodations is GSA providing to ensure the safety and health of all employees?  Has GSA distributed informational materials to those working in the buildings on how they can avoid exposure to harmful contaminants?”

“We look forward to working with GSA to swiftly resolve these health concerns and ensure safe conditions within Chicago’s federal buildings,” the lawmakers concluded.

The full text of the letter is available here and below:

November 12, 2024

Dear Administrator Carnahan,

We write regarding serious health and safety concerns at the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, and the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, in Chicago, as well as the Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse Building in Rockford, Illinois. 

In 2023, the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) mandated water testing for GSA-owned and -leased spaces to establish more stringent water monitoring, testing, and remediation efforts in federal buildings. 

Earlier this year, the Metcalfe Building tested above federal limits for lead, copper, and Legionella in several parts of the structure, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (EPA) office and a child care center located in the building reporting the highest levels of contamination.  Both the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building also were found to have elevated levels of lead, copper, and Legionella—and reports indicate that this issue has been ongoing for the past year.  The Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse Building in Rockford, Illinois, was found to have exceedances of Legionella.

Exposure to Legionella can cause severe pneumonia, and elevated levels of lead and copper are linked with potential liver and kidney damage, as well as neurological disorders.  Studies show that children in particular are impacted by lead—not only do children drink more water per pound of body weight than adults, lower levels of lead cause greater impacts on children than in fully-developed adults, including brain damage, learning disabilities, and other academic and behavioral challenges.

We would like to request an update regarding GSA’s efforts to remediate these drinking water concerns, including an update on the extent of the contamination in all three federal buildings.  We request a prompt response to the following questions:

  1. When do you anticipate remediation to be completed?  In the meantime, what steps has GSA taken to protect the health of workers—and children—in the buildings?
  1. What accommodations is GSA providing to ensure the safety and health of all employees?  Has GSA distributed informational materials to those working in the buildings on how they can avoid exposure to harmful contaminants? 
  1. How is GSA protecting workers against airborne Legionella particles?
  1. Does GSA plan to schedule a town hall to address employees’ concerns?  If so, when?
  1. Please provide additional information regarding GSA’s efforts to address the concerns of employees who believe long-term exposure to these contaminants may have left them at risk for other health conditions.

We look forward to working with GSA to swiftly resolve these health concerns and ensure safe conditions within Chicago’s federal buildings.  Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

-30-