a. - as ?2 ,1 ht. .., FEDERAL LAW ENFO OFFICERS ?a site. ?le 70 Glen Street, Suite 280 Glen Cove, NY 11542 ?ft? Phor192516-671?2688 - Fax: E-M?dil: ?eoaattyifi?aoltom April 14, 2015 Francis J. Kerner Office of Chief Counsel Transportation Security Administration 601 South 12th Street Arlington, VA 20598 FAX: 571?227?2555 Re: Federal Air Marshals Exposed to Lead Poisoning Dear Ms. Kerner: Please be advised that our offices have been contacted by Federal Air Marshals who have expressed concerns for their health because ofexposure to lead contamination at various gun ranges. Specifically, a Seattle Times investigative story entitled, "Toxic Ranges win federal contracts," dated April13, 2015, reveals that federal law enforcement officers are being overexposed to lead at their own gun ranges as well as federal contracted ranges. See, The stonyI revealed that officers have suffered lead poisoning after being trained at law enforcement ranges where lead-coated surfaces and inadequate ventilation exists, as well as other health and safety violations- These dangers have been undetected for decades mainly because of the lack of inspections by state and federal safety regulators. Furthermore, the article has revealed that various federal agencies, including the Federal Air Marshal Service, which is without access to its own shooting ranges have, at times, contracted with unsafe commercial gun ranges with a history ofoccupational violations. These commercial gun ranges have exposed thousands of gun range workers, shooters, and their family members to lead contamination due to poor ventilation and lead contaminated surfaces The article also revealed that shooting~range owners have done little or nothing to correct these violations thus continuing to expose the unsuspecting officers to these health violations. These serious health and safety issues must be addressed by your agency. We are respectfully requesting that the TSA take immediate and swift action to notify its officers of their possible exposure to these dangers. Furthermore, we ask that the TSA initiate an investigation into all gun ranges authorized to be used by its officers to erasure that all safety and health regulations are complied with and no officers are placed in harm's way. Please look into this matter and contact me if you have any further questions. Thank you. Very truly ours. - . . _r Lawrence Berger, Esq-