Woodburn accused of giving toxic paint to Hispanic kids

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Federal investigators are looking into a complaint that a Woodburn city parks program gave toxin-laden spray paint to Hispanic children, while non-Hispanic children were given a safer paint.

A parent of one of the children in the program filed a complaint with the National Park Service that says only children at one of the parks in the program were given the paint that contained high levels of benzene, xylene and toluene - highly flammable and poisonous chemicals.

"When I found out about the use of those paints, I went to centers at other parks in the city where there were no Hispanic kids," said Charles Keen, whose 12-year old son participated in the program. "Kids at those centers weren't using toxic paints."

Keen also said in his complaint that the students were allowed to use the toxic paint without protective clothing or masks.

"The paint fumes were so heavy that the children were pulling their T-shirts over their faces to protect themselves," Keen said. "I repeatedly told city officials that the parents needed to be notified so they could take their children to a doctor, but they refused."

The city has rejected the charge.

"The same program was held at all of the parks and recreation centers with the same materials provided to all of them," said Scott Russell, the Woodburn chief of police and acting city administrator.

He said the city of Woodburn provides "recreation to all members of our community equally and as best as the city can within their budget."

Russell also rejected the allegation that the children were not provided with protective masks.

"The youth art program was conducted outdoors in the open air," Russell said. "The kids did have some protective equipment, (such as) particulate masks."

It was not known how many children, if any, may have been affected.

Keen said he took his son to the doctor but "nothing has come of it, yet."

Keen contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Portland months before he filed the complaint over concerns for two employees who worked with the youngsters at Settlemier Park. On March 30, OSHA sent a letter to the city of Woodburn advising them to take immediate corrective action.

"The city of Woodburn sent a letter back saying that because of the concerns raised, they had voluntarily suspended the use of the (spray) paint cans on those projects," said Kevin Weeks, an OSHA spokesman.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)