High levels of radiation have been found in a drainage ditch at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex, according to independent testing from residents who live near the radioactive West Lake Landfill.

Preliminary test results show "an unusual gamma (radiation) spike," in one of the soil samples, according to Dawn Chapman, one of the resident organizers.

The test results are being analyzed by an out-of-state lab and were also sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees West Lake Landfill under its Superfund toxic sites program.

"Right now we're not trying to close the ball fields or anything other than give it to the EPA and let them come in and do their testing," Chapman said. "It's a red flag. The only thing we're doing and using this machine for is to try and put pressure on these agencies to come out and test."

Last week, attorney Daniel Finney Jr., who is suing the owners of West Lake Landfill, donated a $16,000 radiation detector to the residents who live near the Bridgeton site.

The GammaPal device can detect radiation in soil, water and food. The residents were concerned about the youth ball fields less than a mile from the radioactive landfill.