02/02/2011 // Greensboro, NC, USA // Personal Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley
New Orleans, LA — City officials are urging parents of children who frequent the Mickey Markey Park, in the 700 block of Piety Street, to have their child tested for lead exposure, after the park tested positive for high levels of lead, as reported by WDSU.
On Friday, January 28, 2011, New Orleans city officials closed the park and posted signs alerting residents of the high levels of lead present in the area.
Testing of the soil at the park proved that lead levels were present in excess of safety standards.
“Where the health of our citizens is concerned, we wanted to be safe,” said Dr. Karen DeSalvo, city health commissioner to WDSU. “After reviewing the results with Dr. Lo, we believe it is in the best interest of the community for portions of this site to undergo remediation. We encourage parents of young children, especially those under the age of 6, to have their kids tested for elevated blood lead levels.”
Thirteen of the 40 samples at the park were above the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality limits.
The biggest threat is the continued ingestion of the contaminated soil by young children who visited the park.
The soil which exceeded lead limits will be covered.
Free lead testing for children enrolled in Medicaid is available at three primary care clinics in Algiers (1111 Newton St.), Central City (2222 Simon Bolivar Ave.), and New Orleans East (5640 Read Blvd.).
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Louisiana environmental lawyers.
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