The amounts of lead and other heavy metals at six parks in Pasadena are below state thresholds for concerns about toxicity, according to the results of recent soil sampling by the city’s health department.
In recent weeks Los Angeles County and Pasadena health officials announced soil testing showed elevated screening levels of lead and other toxins that may have been carried downwind in ash and debris from the massive Eaton Fire in January.
Pasadena officials said Saturday follow-up soil testing has indicated levels at Alice’s Dog Park, Allendale Park, Hamilton Park, Robinson Park, Washington Park and Victory Park are below the California Department of Toxic Substances Control’s screening threshold of 80 parts per million and well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 200 ppm screening threshold.
The highest lead level, 51.9 ppm, was found in soil at Washington Park’s Tree Area, the city reported. The lowest level, 1.6 ppm, was recorded at the North Ball Field in Robinson Park.
Test results for other heavy metal levels were also below state and federal thresholds, officials said.
“These test results demonstrate there is no evidence that levels of lead or other heavy metals are harmful to health at these city parks,” Pasadena Director of Public Health Manuel Carmona said in a statement. “Given the preliminary results of the Los Angeles County soil study, everyone should practice precautions within the neighborhoods identified in the study but there is no indication that community members or visitors need to avoid outdoor activities at city parks.”
The outcome of the soil tests led the city’s health department to lift previous recommendations to restrict outdoor activities on exposed soil.
Each park’s lead and heavy metal levels are listed online at cityofpasadena.net/eaton-fire/#soil-testing-results.
On April 10, the LA County Public Health reported elevated lead levels in soil samples from residential properties across two Pasadena neighborhoods. The test results showed lead that exceed the state’s 80 ppm screening threshold, prompting further investigation. The city did follow-up testing at parks in the neighborhoods identified in the study and also in adjacent areas, officials said.
One neighborhood’s boundaries are Lincoln Avenue, Washington Boulevard, North Altadena Drive and the city limit to the north, according to the city. The other area is between North Altadena Drive, Orange Grove Boulevard, Washington Boulevard and Eaton Drive.
“We are very pleased with the findings and are excited to reopen our fields with the comforting knowledge that they are safe for use,” Koko Panossian, director of the Pasadena Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, said in a statement. “With this in mind, we highly encourage everyone to follow Public Health guidelines to make your health a priority.”
Children are especially vulnerable to lead and heavy metals “due to their hand-to-mouth behavior and potential to ingest or inhale contaminated soil,” according to a city statement. Lead exposure can occur through swallowing, skin contact or inhalation, and contaminated soil may be tracked indoors via shoes or clothing.
Pasadena health officials recommended precautionary measures, such as restricting access to park areas with exposed soil, taking steps to prevent soil from being tracked indoors and promoting lead-safe cleaning practices.
Pasadena parks officials closed the baseball infields at Washington Park and Victory Park to conduct soil sampling and while outside the soil-tested areas, Alice’s Dog Park, Allendale Park, Hamilton Park and Robinson Park were also tested “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the city.
The Pasadena Public Health Department advised residents to take proactive steps if they interact with soil that may have lead.
Outdoors
- Prevent children and pets from digging or playing in exposed soil.
- Cover exposed soil with grass, mulch, wood chips, gravel or ground cover plants to reduce dust and prevent direct contact — prioritize play areas, garden paths and areas near doors or patios.
- Remove dirt from sidewalks, patios, driveways and other hard outdoor surfaces by spraying with a hose.
- Wash hands after contact with soil and before eating.
- Wash pet paws and toys after contact with soil.
- Review the county’s Fire Recovery Guidance website for recommendations about home gardens.
Indoors
- Remove shoes before entering a home or use “sticky mats” in entryways to remove dust from shoes.
- Use doormats and wash them regularly.
- Frequently wet mop entryways and hard floor surfaces.
- Use a wet cleaning method to capture and remove dust from horizontal surfaces.
- Avoid cleaning methods that can send dust into the air such as dry-sweeping or vacuuming without a HEPA filter.
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters.
Residents vulnerable to lead exposure or who have children under 6 years old should consult “a professional to assess the need for soil testing on their property,” city officials suggested. “If you decide to hire a professional, select the lab before collecting soil samples because each lab will have specific testing guidelines. Soil test kits sold at garden stores are not recommended because they cannot test for many contaminants or heavy metals.”
Soil testing resources are listed at the PPHD’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Frequently Asked Questions guide.
The amount of lead in a person’s body can be measured with a blood test, which are available by visiting most medical providers, making an appointment at a Quest Lab for a free blood lead test or at an in-person mobile blood testing event.
A free mobile testing event is set for May 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pasadena’s La Pintoresca Park, which coincides with the Family Fun Day event. Two blood lead test events took place over the weekend in Altadena and Pasadena.
