New orleans children face lead poisoning risk as half of city playgrounds test unsafe

A four-month investigation has revealed widespread lead contamination in New Orleans playgrounds, with dangerous levels of the toxic metal found in approximately half of the city’s 84 parks with play equipment. The findings expose children to serious health risks and highlight a decade-long failure by city officials to address the problem.

Reporters tested over 500 soil samples and discovered that about 42 parks exceeded federal safety thresholds established in 2024. Some locations showed lead concentrations nearly 60 times higher than safe levels, including areas where children regularly play. The contamination stems from deteriorating lead-based paint from nearby century-old homes, historical emissions from waste incinerators, and residue from decades of leaded gasoline use.

The crisis came to light in 2010 when parents discovered their children had elevated blood lead levels after playing at Mickey Markey Playground in the Bywater neighborhood. Despite city promises to comprehensively test and remediate contaminated parks, officials conducted limited cleanup efforts on only 16 parks in 2011 and have performed no major testing or remediation since then. Even previously “cleaned” parks, including Markey, still show dangerous contamination levels today.

Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children under six, causing learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and permanent neurological damage even in trace amounts. With New Orleans facing a $220 million budget deficit, it remains unclear whether current Mayor Helena Moreno will prioritize park cleanup efforts. Health experts estimate that comprehensive soil capping could remediate the worst-affected parks for as little as $5,000 to $20,000 each, but warn that sustained public pressure will likely be necessary to force action.