WAPPINGERS FALLS – Temple Park in Wappingers Falls is safe to reopen after soil analysis shows lead levels meet state and federal safety standards for children’s play areas, state officials said.
The park was temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution due to media reports that suggested there were elevated lead levels in the soil originating from old overhead lead-containing cables left by telecommunications companies. The state’s scientific analysis found no evidence of elevated or widespread lead contamination in the area sampled. The multi-agency examination of the potential for lead-based telecommunication cables in New York State communities is ongoing.
In its final report, the health department’s soil sampling investigation found no evidence of elevated or widespread lead contamination in the sampled area, and the results suggest there is no evidence of significant exposure or public health risk for those utilizing the park.
The state departments of Health and Environmental Conservation are coordinating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and have advised the Village of Wappingers Falls to reopen the park.
Lead naturally occurs in soils, and typical lead soil levels range from 50 to 400 parts per million (ppm). Lead can also be found in paint in older homes, dust, air, water, soil, and in some products used in and around our homes. Lead-based paint in pre-1980 homes is the leading contributor to elevated blood lead levels in children.
The acceptable limit for children’s play areas, per EPA soil guidance levels, is set at a maximum of 400 ppm. All but one sample collected by DEC and DOH at Temple Park and nearby areas contained lead below this range. The sole exceedance, at 410 ppm, was located along the roadway and outside of play areas and does not present an exposure concern to children or the general public.
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