Lead Poisoning Alert Issued; Disneyland Alerted Too

Local health officials are urging residents to take precautions against lead poisoning, and their warnings come as Disneyland contends with allegations that its O.C. park contains dangerous levels of the chemical element.

“Many people see lead poisoning as a health problem from the past, but that is not the case,” said Susan Harrington, acting Community Health Agency director for Riverside County. “It is critical for parents to consider how their environment affects their children now and in the future.”

Harrington’s office points to the cases of a 10-year-old Indio boy, a 2-year-old Perris boy, and a 1-year-old Nuevo boy who are all living with the effects of lead poisoning.

According to a Riverside County Department of Public Health statement issued Wednesday, it is suspected that the oldest boy was sickened by Mexican candies and ceramic or clay pottery. The Perris boy appears to have been poisoned by brass objects and bullet casings; the Nuevo boy was most likely made ill by something from his father’s work at a tire shop or decorative clay pots and mugs at his home.

“Lead poisoning can cause diminished intelligence, developmental delays, kidney and liver damage, reproductive problems, seizures and death. Symptoms of lead poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, muscle weakness, and irritability. Many people with lead poisoning have no symptoms at all,” according to the statement.

The poisoning cases were brought forth by local health officials at the same time as a lawsuit in Orange County gets underway contending Disneyland is exposing children to high levels of lead.

Dozens of leaded-glass windows and brass rail chains, door knobs and drinking water fountains at some of Disneyland's most popular attractions expose children to high levels of lead, according to the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation, which has filed an injunction to force Disneyland officials to either coat or remove lead on objects and features throughout the park.

Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation found much higher levels of lead exposure, in one case 700 times the state standard, by testing dozens of items at Disneyland and California Adventure theme park between June and December 2010 as shown in this video posted on nbclosangeles.com.

The foundation filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court in April against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Inc., alleging excessive levels of lead in such commonly touched objects as the Sword in Stone attraction, where Disneyland photographers encourage children to pose while pulling on the sword handle, according to the organization's President William Verick.

Other objects containing lead include brass door knobs at Minnie's House and stained-glass windows in a door at the beauty salon in Cinderella's Castle.

Ideally, the foundation wants Disney to remove or coat the objects, Verick said. At the least, warning signs should be put up, as required by state law, he said.

When the foundation alerted Disney to the lead in December, members of the group expected Disney to respond quickly, just as executives of the Chili's restaurant chain did when confronted with the same issue, Verick said.

"We were expecting them to do what Chili's did and it would be no big deal,'' Verick said, referring to how the company first coated and then replaced its distinct door handles that are shaped like chili peppers. "We thought (Disney would) step up and do the right thing and instead they did nothing.''

Previously, the group got Disneyland officials to quit selling some objects that contain lead, he said.

Wednesday, the foundation sent Disney another letter about 25 other features at the park containing lead, Verick said.

Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown said some of the allegations were unfounded.

"The claims this plaintiff has made have been baseless,'' Brown said. "The Disneyland Resort fully complies with Proposition 65 and has always been committed to providing a safe environment for all its guests.''

The foundation filed its request for an injunction just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, said the foundation's attorney Brian Acree. A hearing on the injunction is set for Nov. 22, Acree said.

All the news comes as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week begins Oct. 23. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 250,000 children nationally have elevated blood-lead levels. Local health officials point out that a simple blood test can detect lead poisoning.

“Deteriorating lead-based paint, which was banned in 1978 for housing use, is the main source of exposure for lead in children nationally. Lead-contaminated dust is also a contributing factor, along with certain clay pottery,” according to the County Department of Public Health statement.

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides follow-up for children with elevated lead levels. Families are provided with education and advice about lead poisoning and children are monitored to be sure that necessary re-testing is performed and that blood lead levels decrease. Early treatment can prevent long-term damage, according to the statement.

For more information about the program, go online to http://www.rivcoph.org/cms/clpp. --City News Service contributed to this report