State environmental regulators are investigating a second Baltimore bridge for allegedly shedding lead paint chips into storm drains, warning the city could face daily fines while cleanup and long-term repairs from the first incident remain unresolved.
In a report last week, inspectors with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) documented orange and white paint chips flaking from the Orleans Street overpass and falling onto Bath Street between Calvert and Guilford avenues. Chips were observed on sidewalks and in and around storm drains, prompting the agency to expand its water pollution investigation in Baltimore.
Although testing has not confirmed the presence of lead in samples from the Orleans Street bridge, inspectors said the debris is consistent in appearance with paint chips found earlier beneath the 28th Street Bridge. Laboratory results from that site showed at least one chip contained 36 times over the standard limit of lead…