Pasadena finds elevated lead levels in 2 neighborhoods; closes fields for more testing

PASADENA, Calif. - Pasadena is closing multiple public parks after county officials found elevated lead levels in the soil of two local neighborhoods. The city has ordered additional testing.

Eaton Fire recovery

The backstory:

The Eaton Fire devastated the Pasadena and Altadena communities in January, killing 18 people and destroying nearly 10,000 structures. 

The community is slowly starting to rebuild, with the first rebuilding permit issued for the Eaton Fire burn scar just earlier this month. Thursday marked 100 days since the fire.

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Pasadena high lead levels

What we know:

Last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced that soil testing showed high lead levels in two Pasadena neighborhoods. In fact, nearly 60% of all the Eaton Fire ash samples officials took had elevated lead levels.

Lead levels in those two neighborhoods exceeded the screening level of 80 parts per million, which officials said isn't toxic, but does require further testing.

The testing was purposely not done on destroyed homes, but in neighborhoods where there was some, but not extensive damage, about a mile from the Eaton Fire Burn area.

One of the neighborhoods is the area between Lincoln Avenue and N. Altadena Drive, and between E. Washington Boulevard and the city limits. 

The second neighborhood is between N. Altadena and Eaton Drive and between E. Washington and Orange Grove Boulevard.

According to the city, young children are the most at risk of lead exposure in the soil. Because of this, the city announced that they would be closing the baseball infields at Washington Park and Victory Park while officials did further soil testing. The city said it would notify residents and redirect them to turf fields. 

The soil at Robinson Park, Hamilton Park and Alice's Dog Park, though outside the affected neighborhoods, will also be tested. The parks will remain open, though.

What we don't know:

Residents say the findings have them concerned about safety. One told FOX 11 that there's uncertainty about whether the parks, or even their homes are safe for their children or pets. 

Alicia Torres is planning a birthday party in one of the parks in the coming days. She tells FOX 11 she is also worried about whether the parts of the parks that are still open are safe for young children.

What they're saying:

Health officials said the baseball infields were closed because they're exposed soil, and therefore the highest risk areas. Grassy areas and play areas around the fields aren't considered dangerous, they said. 

For example, officials said, a 6-year-old sliding into second base would not be advisable, but a child using the swing in a mulched area would not be in danger.

What's next:

The Pasadena Public Health Department is urging youth sports leagues to close fields with exposed soil, and to move any practices or games either outside of the affected neighborhoods, or to places with "improved surfaces."

Officials also said to make sure children thoroughly wash their hands after all outdoor activities.

What to do if you think you were exposed

Health officials say people who think they might have been exposed to lead in the soil can do the following:

• Request testing from their doctor, which is covered by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal
• Reach out to Quest Lab at 1-800-LA-4-LEAD (1-800-524-5323) to make an appointment for a free test.
• Or visit one of LA County's free mobile testing locations. Pasadena has one on Sunday, April 27, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Eaton Health Village/Pasadena Seventh Day Adventist Church.

More information from the county on lead can be found on the LA County Department of Public Health website here.

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