Lead-Contaminated Paint Chips Found at Three Baltimore-Area Bridges

Peeling paint from bridges poses potential health and environmental risks, prompting calls for action from local authorities.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Peeling paint chips found beneath three bridges in the Baltimore area have tested positive for high concentrations of lead, raising concerns about potential health and environmental impacts. The affected bridges include the 28th Street bridge, the Orleans Street overpass, and an I-95 overpass at Potomac and Arbutus avenues. Community members and environmental groups like Blue Water Baltimore have reported the issues to state and local authorities, who are now investigating the extent of the problem.

Why it matters

Lead exposure, especially for children, can have serious health consequences, including developmental delays and neurological damage. The lead-contaminated paint chips found in local waterways and trails also pose a risk of bioaccumulation in the food chain, potentially exposing people who consume fish from affected areas. This issue highlights the need for better monitoring and maintenance of aging infrastructure to protect public health and the environment.

The details

Testing by Blue Water Baltimore revealed that paint chips from the 28th Street bridge contained lead levels nearly 36 times the standard amount. Chips from the Orleans Street overpass and an I-95 overpass in Baltimore County also had concentrations 5.5 and 9 times higher than the standard, respectively. The group is now investigating another potential lead paint issue at the Falls Road exit from I-83 North. The Maryland Department of the Environment is working with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to address the problem, including collecting the hazardous waste and taking steps to prevent further release of the lead-contaminated paint.

  • Last month, Blue Water Baltimore was first made aware of the peeling paint beneath the 28th Street bridge.
  • On Monday, the group received testing results confirming high lead levels in the paint chips from the three bridges.

The players

Blue Water Baltimore

A nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore the Baltimore Harbor and the streams that flow into it.

Alice Volpitta

The Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper with Blue Water Baltimore.

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)

The state agency investigating the lead paint issues at the Baltimore City bridges.

Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT)

The city agency that has been directed by MDE to collect the lead-contaminated paint chips and take steps to prevent further release.

Matt Baris

A local resident who walks the Jones Falls trail with his rescue dog, Hugo, and noticed the bright orange paint chips.

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What they’re saying

“It can break down into tiny little pieces, and then smaller fish can start feeding on that substrate in our streams, and ultimately that bioaccumulates, which means that we're getting lead poisoning in our fish that ultimately people might consume.”

— Alice Volpitta, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, Blue Water Baltimore

“It's not normal, it's not something to ignore, it's something to be reported. Unfortunately, it just seems like we don't know where the problems are, and so we have to rely on community members to speak up when they see something like this happening.”

— Alice Volpitta, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, Blue Water Baltimore

“[Hugo] was really excited to do it and this is his first day in awhile but it might be awhile before we come back, unfortunately. I'm not sniffing the ground, I'm not eating things off the ground, so I'm more worried about him than myself. But I'm sure that all this running into the Jones Falls is really not good for anybody.”

— Matt Baris

What’s next

The Maryland Department of the Environment has directed the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to collect the lead-contaminated paint chips, handle them as hazardous waste, and take steps to prevent the release of additional paint chips. The state agency will follow up to ensure that the environment and public health are protected.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the need for better monitoring and maintenance of aging infrastructure to protect public health and the environment. Lead exposure, especially for children, can have serious health consequences, and the lead-contaminated paint chips found in local waterways and trails pose a risk of bioaccumulation in the food chain. Prompt action by authorities and community vigilance are crucial to addressing this problem.