Game off. The Digital Harbor High School Rams will have to find a new practice field after the city closed Swann Park in South Baltimore over chemical concerns.
“Don?t go to the park right now. It?s closed until further notice. We need to know more about what the risks are,” Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Josh Sharfstein said. “It?s very unlikely a child would be [harmed], but we are concerned about the health risks.”
Honeywell International officials found high levels of arsenic in the soil, ranging from 23 to 2,200 parts per million. The site borders a former pesticide factory owned by Allied Chemical, now Honeywell.
The tests were spurred by state health officials after Honeywell turned over Allied?s files on previous contamination and attempts to clean up the baseball, soccer, football and softball fields there.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metal-like element with no smell or taste, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment. Arsenic has beenused to control insects, weeds, mold, bacteria and rodents, as well as in wood preservatives, dyes, paint, medications, food supplements, manufacturing and electronics.
It can cause rashes, nerve damage and cancer, said Dr. Clifford Mitchell of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, “but those are relatively high levels over a very long period of time.”
Sports activities scheduled for Swann Park this spring will be relocated to nearby Latrobe and Carroll parks until a federal task force can assess the risk at Swann Park.
Those who believe they may have suffered adverse health affects from playing at the park are asked to call the city?s 311 information line.
