All News Releases By Date

LEAD CONTAMINATION REMOVED FROM DAY CARE CENTER ; U.S. EPA ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF CLEANUP

Release Date: 5/28/1997
Contact Information: Randy Wittorp, U.S. EPA, (415)744-1589

San Francisco, CA -- The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has completed the removal of lead contamination at the Ocean Park Childcare Foundation, a daycare center located at the Church in Ocean Park in Santa Monica.  Fallout from the sandblasting of lead paint on a neighboring building resulted in playground lead levels about 17 times the clearance guideline set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

"EPA jumped right on the site to prevent the lead from migrating into the neighborhood," said Keith Takata, U.S. EPA’s Superfund Division Director.  "We were very concerned about the high concentrations of lead since the site is located right off a city street and is easily accessible to the public.  Fortunately, the contamination was reported quickly and all of the lead has been removed."

On May 8, U.S. EPA was asked to assist with site cleanup by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control after personnel from the Los Angeles County Lead Abatement program collected samples of lead from the playground as high as 13,300 micrograms per square foot.  HUD guidelines for concrete surfaces are set at 800 micrograms per square foot.  Lead levels within the interior of the facility were generally low with the exception of a few samples collected on window sills.  So far, all of the children tested have had normal blood-lead levels.

The daycare center was closed for a week while the playground underwent decontamination.  Cleanup of indoor areas was completed using vacuums equipped with high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters.  In the outdoor areas a vacuum truck with a HEPA filter was also employed.  To complete the job, selected areas were washed with detergent, sand in the playground was replaced and, contaminated leaves were removed from trees.  Cleanup was accomplished by cooperative efforts of the county, state and federal government. Total cost for the removal is estimated at $30,000.  

Lead based paint is poisonous -- the dust and chips are dangerous when swallowed or inhaled.  The smallest lead dust particles cannot be seen but they can get into the body and are of most concern to small children and pregnant women.  Lead can affect children’s developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ and learning disabilities.  To learn more about preventing lead contamination, contact the National Lead Information Center at (800) LEAD-FYI.