Disneyland Exposes Kids to Dangerous Levels of Lead, Group Says

An environmental group has filed for an injunction to force Disneyland officials to either coat or remove lead on objects and features throughout the park.

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.

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.

Today, 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.

—City News Service