Pasadena’s city’s department of parks, recreation and community services is closing baseball infields at two parks after LA County health officials revealed rising soil lead levels from the Eton fire, the city said Friday.
Soil sampling in two regions revealed LED levels above 80/1 millionth of a part, which does not require cleanup or repair, but indicates the need for further evaluation, city officials said.
One neighborhood is generally surrounded by Lincoln Avenue, Washington Boulevard, North Altadena Drive and city restrictions. Other areas are generally surrounded by Northern Altadena Drive, Orange Grove Boulevard, Washington Boulevard and Eaton Drive, city officials said.
The city requires soil testing if the child is likely to play in exposed soil or in exposed soil. Children can be exposed to lead by swallowing, prolonged skin contact, or breathing lead-contaminated soil, and can be tracked indoors with shoes and clothing.
Officials point out that children under the age of six are more vulnerable as they are more likely to put their hands in their mouths after touching or eating the soil.
The closed baseball infield is in Washington, and members of the Victory Park and community who use those fields will be redirected to grass fields, City Parks officials said.
Soil will be tested at Robinson Park, Hamilton Park and Dog Park in Alice. Alice’s Dog Park is outside the identified area and will remain open.
“We are taking proactive steps to ensure that the park is safe, especially for young children who are most vulnerable to lead exposure,” said Coco Panosian, director of parks, recreation and community services.
The city will encourage soil testing in parks and youth sports fields with exposed soil, including but not limited to baseball diamonds, soccer, tracks and soccer fields, and urges those areas to be closed for public use until qualified professionals are able to conduct heavy metal testing.
Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to lead in the soil can request a test from a doctor or go to Quest Rabo for a free blood lead test.
The city is offering free lead blood tests on April 27th from noon to 5pm at Eaton Health Village/Pasadena Seventh Day Adventist Church 1280 E. Washington Boulevard.
Source link
