EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks
Soil samples collected in January discovered the high levels of lead in three parks: Sonny Vereen Playground, Breunig Avenue Park and Grant Avenue Playground.
Share:
More Stories
2:04
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others
1m ago2:07
Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the mid-80s; cooler weather arrives Friday
1h ago0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog
1h ago1:27
News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach
1h ago0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows
1h ago0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union
1h ago2:04
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others
1m ago2:07
Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the mid-80s; cooler weather arrives Friday
1h ago0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog
1h ago1:27
News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach
1h ago0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows
1h ago0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union
1h agoHigh levels of lead in the soil are a concern at three parks and some homes in East Trenton, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Four years ago, the EPA began investigating the pottery industry as a potential source of lead contamination in the soil in East Trenton. Soil samples collected in January discovered the high levels of lead in three parks: Sony Vereen Playground, Breunig Avenue Park and Grant Avenue Playground. Lead awareness signs were placed at each park on Tuesday to alert residents to the situation.
Some areas of the parks will now be closed, and others will remain open as EPA works to cover areas of soil and grass that are contaminated to prevent exposure.
Lead exposure tips:
- Avoid digging or disturbing the soil.
- Wash hands thoroughly after visiting the parks, especially before eating.
- Remove shoes before entering homes and buildings to avoid tracking in contaminated soil.
- Supervise children closely and prevent them from putting dirt in their mouth.
About 130 homeowners’ properties near these parks were also tested for lead and many came back positive. Over the next several months, the EPA will install protective measures at impacted residential properties to reduce lead exposure especially to young children and pregnant women.
The EPA says it will continue to offer free soil testing to residential property owners inside the East Trenton study area in the spring and summer.
If you would like the EPA to test the soil at your own property for free, call Jonathan Byk at 347-899-6210.
