Little Leaguers at Risk of Lead Contamination, New Report States

may face more danger on the baseball field than just sports injuries, according to a report released last week by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH).

The watchdog group announced on March 31 that it found lead at 280 times the legal limit for children’s products in brand-name boys Little League belts sold at , and Dick’s Sporting Goods stores throughout the Bay Area.  

According to the group, children can be exposed to the lead in the belts through hand-to-mouth contact.

The group commissioned an independent test—including on a Rawlings belt sold at Walmart—and found lead on the surface material of the tainted belts of levels between 2.8 to nearly 8.5 percent. The tests began in February on about 40 belts, according to CEH spokesman Charles Margulis. The brightest-colored belts contained the highest amounts of lead.

Parents of the 10-12 boys at the Mountain View Little League matchup between the Red Sox and Pirates Tuesday night at , had mixed reactions to the news.

Some parents didn't show much concern for the boys, some of whom wore belts purchased at some of the retailers in question. One dad said he worried more about drinking water from plastic bottles than lead in the belts, because his son would be less likely to ingest the lead or get it in contact with his skin. Another said he's not concerned, because "they are not chewing on the belt, just wearing them."

Most did show surprise at the fact that a trusted name in sportswear, Rawlings, was involved.

"Alleson, I could see, but Rawlings is hard to believe, because they are such a big company," said Tony Cambra, who sat and watched his son play.

Neither Alleson nor Rawlings returned requests for comment.

However, some other parents did seem more alarmed.

"I'd like to find out more. We had no idea," said Lisa Padilla, who bought a Rawlings belt at Walmart. "Our son has sensitive skin, and I don't want anymore problems.

Xandra Homan, wife of the Pirates coach and mom of a player, said she thought the news was scary.

"Why do they continue to sell [belts] if they know?" she said and called her son over to check the brand of the red belt her son wore. She couldn't find the label. She'd bought the belt at Sports Authority.

In reporting this article, Patch checked with Mountain View-Los Altos Girl's Softball League vice president Ken Larson, who confirmed that that league's athletes do not use belts.

CEH sent notices to the retailers and state authorities to point out that the belts violated consumer protection law, according to Margulis. They are still waiting on a response.

“We’re hoping that the stores will recall the belts at this point,” said Margulis.

As a neurotoxin, lead causes learning disorders, brain and nerve damage, hearing problems, stunted growth and digestive problems. Some scientists feel there is no safe exposure to lead, especially for young children.

"Where is the safety for our kids?" said Jennifer Johnson, another Little Leaguer's mom. "If we have to worry about a belt, what else do we have to worry about?"