Lead Contamination Found At N.O. Playgrounds

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Eleven playgrounds in New Orleans have unsafe levels of lead in the soil and on painted surfaces.

Of 13 playgrounds tested, two were deemed safe, but three will be fenced off because of high levels of lead. Remediation also is planned at eight others where the problem is deemed medium- or low-priority, the city said Tuesday. Officials plan to have the 11 parks cleaned in time for summer recreation programs.

New Orleans officials selected parks and playgrounds in the oldest sections of the city for testing. Those areas were deemed more likely to need lead remediation because older homes are likely to have been painted with lead-based paint that was sand-blasted off over the years. Another factor was the past use of lead in gasoline, paint and other materials.