The 11th and Monroe street park has been closed due to lead contamination. (Photo: TBD Staff)

Dust from demolition debris that may contain lead has caused the District Department of the Environment to close a park at 11th and Monroe streets NW in Columbia Heights.

The park was closed last Friday, and DDOE has since alerted the community to the situation and set up a free blood testing station for anyone who is concerned about lead exposure. Acting DDOE Director Christophe Tulou describes the lead levels discovered in the park as "not terribly serious," but he's still urging anyone who lives nearby or uses the park to stop and get tested.

"Any lead exposure, as far as we're concerned, is too much," he says.

The city began testing dust in the park last week after receiving a complaint from a neighbor. Tulou describes the results as "variable," with some coming back completely negative, while others registered as high as 1,000 micrograms per sq. ft., which is "not an extraordinarily high level" but still one that could "potentially elevate blood lead levels."

DDOE is especially encouraging children under the age of six and pregnant women to take a blood test. About 40 people have been tested so far, but the results have yet to come back, Tulou says.

City officials are still investigating to determine the source of the dust, trying to make certain it didn't come from more than one location. But residents say a nearby demolition site at 3511 13th Street NW, which overlooks the park, is the main culprit. One neighbor described seeing a plume of construction dust fall over the park from the building last week.

"They only put plastic up over the windows yesterday," says James Frank, who lives next door.

Contractors are required by law to put in place controls like plastic coverings and chutes to prevent dust from emitting into the atmosphere during work.

Once the investigation is complete, Tulou says the responsible party will be fined and forced to pay for clean-up costs.

There's currently no timeline in place for when that clean-up will start or when the park will reopen.

"Our priority is to get the park back open," says Tulou.

DDOE's mobile lead testing truck is parked on Monroe Street NW, just west of 11th, and is open for drop-in tests from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. until further notice. Residents may also be tested at the Columbia Heights Community Center, located at 1480 Girard St. NW.