Gun range, gymnastics center close temporarily after high lead levels found

Two businesses in Milpitas have been temporarily shut down after county health officials said they found elevated levels of lead at those buildings.

A shooting range, Target Masters West, as well as Sweet’s Gymnastics, both located in the same commercial center on Minnis Circle, had high levels of lead inside, according to tests conducted by Santa Clara County, in conjunction with the State of California Department of Public Health.

The test results “indicate an elevated risk of lead exposure for people inside the buildings, and the County immediately took action to close the businesses to the public,” the county said in a statement.

“The County is working with both businesses to ensure proper abatement takes place and that both remain closed until the situation is remedied,” the statement said.

The county’s Public Health Department and Department of Environmental Health asked both businesses for information about employees and clients who have been in those buildings within the last 30 days, and will contact them directly, the county said.

The county is also working with state agencies to “assess the level of potential risk” to people who were at the businesses prior to that 30-day period.

People concerned about potential exposure to lead should consult their medical provider, the county said.

Exposure to high levels of lead can cause anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC said short-term overexposure to lead can cause a loss of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, tiredness, headaches, or irritability.

The county said there is no elevated lead risk to the general public beyond the two buildings.

Bill Heskett, owner of Target Masters West, said Sunday he and his employees are working “as diligently as we can” to clean the facility, and are seeking to hire certified lead abatement specialists soon.

“We’re working on rectifying the situation, we have all intentions to fully comply,” he said.

“After 30 plus years of being in business, yes, we’ve got some spots that definitely that were not up to par,” Heskett said of the elevated lead levels found in his business.

Dave Sweet, the owner of Sweet’s Gymnastics, said he was “totally devastated” when he learned of the test results Friday and the need to close as a result.

“I didn’t even sleep at all that night,” Sweet said.

“I do everything possible to keep my kids as safe as possible. And something that I can’t control, to have something like this, didn’t go over well with me,” he said, noting that kids ranging from age 3 to 17 train at his facility.

In addition to sharing his client’s contact information with the county as required, Sweet is “calling every parent personally” to let them know about the situation, he said.

Sweet said he’s hopeful the issue “will be fixed” now that the county, city, and landlord of the commercial center are aware of the issue.

“I’m comfortable that they will prevent any problem in the future,” he said.