No harmful lead levels found at Camp Dawson

A second round of testing for potentially dangerous lead levels at Camp Dawson's artificial turf fields was negative -- after a first had been positive -- prompting the township to arrange a third round of testing to sort out the discrepancy, municipal officials said on Tuesday.

Five different types of samples were taken by state officials at the site last Friday, and the second round of tests was expedited to the township, municipal officials said. Those results showed lead levels to be negligible, said Mayor Deborah Nielson.

"The tests show that there is nothing being leached. People on the field are not coming into contact with any lead," Nielson said. The exact levels of the new tests were not immediately known, but Nielson said they were "below the threshold."  See Daily Record.   Discuss on OurMontville blog.

The Township has received the results of the follow-up samples and testing for lead on the turf fields at Camp Dawson.  Five (5) different types of samples, each at multiple locations, were taken.  Wipe Tests, Vacuum Tests, Turf Blade Tests, Core Tests, and even tests of the parking lot were conducted.  All of the tests have come back with negative results, meaning that lead levels, if detected at all, are at acceptable levels.  Due to the discrepancy between the original and second core samples taken, we are having environmental consultant PMK take a 3rd round of core samples in order to be confident of the core sample results.  The Township is in consultation with our environmental consultant, PMK, and the New Jersey Department of Health to determine the Township's next course of action.

Updates are posted on the Township’s website.

Comments

[Ridger]

ARE WE DRINKING THE WATER THAT IS COMING OFF THIS TURF?? THIS IS OUR AQUIFER....HOPE I AM WRONG

[Frank Lechleiter]

Alright I'll bite. How'd the lead get there, what's the remedy and who's going to pay for it?

Frank

[Ron Soussa]

From the Daily Record article:

Some township residents have expressed concern that the high levels of lead could affect the Towaco Valley Aquifer, which provides more than 95 percent of the township's drinking water. Camp Dawson is almost centrally located above the aquifer.

Tom Mazzaccaro, the township's water and sewer director, assured residents that the lead level in the township's drinking water is low, at 7 parts per million. Natural lead in water is 15 parts per million, he said.

Furthermore, the township tests for lead every three years, he said.

"I can tell you there's no connection with the fields," said Mazzaccaro.