NathanBacaNews OP t1_j8xqxov wrote on February 17, 2023 at 6:28 PM

I'm the WUSA9 reporter who's been looking at lead in playgrounds for the past four years. Long story short, one playground at Parkview Rec Center near Bruce-Monroe Elementary was closed by DCPS & DGS for 470ppm of lead. 400ppm is the federal limit. The other playgrounds there passed the lead test. DC government blames the lead on the surround environment. Back in 2019 and 2020, we gather the recycled tire crumb rubber that forms the playground mats and The Ecology Center out of Michigan said the crumbs itself tested high for lead. Some parents we interviewed say it's time to replace the recycled tires with mulch or something more natural. I can try to answer any redditor questions.

shirpars t1_j8yech4 wrote on February 17, 2023 at 8:59 PM

Hi, is this the same rubber found in other playgrounds in the district?

NathanBacaNews OP t1_j8yg5pq wrote on February 17, 2023 at 9:11 PM

Yes. And a few years back, I wrote about how 18 DC playgrounds had elevated levels of lead found in their crumb rubber. After that happened, DC pledges regular testing and what was discovered at Parkview is a result of that.

NaughtyGoddess t1_j8z3h26 wrote on February 17, 2023 at 11:57 PM

I wonder if the people (or person?) who was contracted to build these playgrounds made big contributions to either the mayor or councilmember in this ward.

Prob bought some super cheap stuff they weren't supposed to use...

It's like DC has a fetish for doing rotten business.

Aggravating-Ad9796 t1_j90892w wrote on February 18, 2023 at 5:54 AM

From my understanding is that the materials they use for the playground floors aren’t regulated & are made from used tires so some of the test may not be accurate because some areas may have lead while others don’t