Artificial turf might contain lead levels of concern
The CDC put out an official advisory, late last month, warning about potentially high lead dust levels in some artificial turfs used on athletic fields and playgrounds. Artificial turf made from nylon or nylon/polyethylene blends may contain enough lead to pose a concern for children, who are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of lead. The risk is highest for kids under age 6 and if the field is weathered, old and contains faded or broken fibers.
1. Perform aggressive hand and body washing for at least 20 minutes using soap and warm water.
2. Clothes worn on the field should be taken off and turned inside out as soon as possible to avoid bringing the contaminated dust to other places.
3. Eating on the turf is discouraged.
4. When not drinking, close the containers and put them off the field.
Those are some pretty intense precautions. The CDC also recommends that field managers take dust-suppression measures and undertake possible testing of fields, depending on the material used.
[Via Healthy Child, Healthy World]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-09-2008 @ 2:32PM
Paul said...
As a frequent user of FieldTurf brand artificial turf, I can assure you that there is no health concern with the product. I have used it for several years now and for the past couple of years, have practiced on it almost everyday. I'm not too familiar with other artificial turfs, however, I have done some research and FieldTurf uses only the safest and highest quality materials in their products. From what I've read, FieldTurf uses a rare, highly filtered, clean rubber as opposed to the cheap, commonly found rubber used by other turf companies. I cannot recall a single one of my teammates or opponents who experienced a health problem due to the turf's materials.
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7-29-2008 @ 3:21PM
sean adelsohn said...
In light of the recent press surrounding “lead and artificial turf”, we at FieldTurf have compiled a comprehensive review of the facts which confirm the safety of the FieldTurf artificial turf system. I urge you to review them at http://www.fieldturf.com/leadissues/
Sincerely,
Sean Adelsohn
FieldTurf
Reply
7-30-2008 @ 8:50AM
waylon said...
If anyone is still skeptical about synthetic turf. Here's something to assure you that it is all good and safe.
USA today article "Feds: Synthetic turf OK, kids 'not at risk' from lead exposure :
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-07-29-artificial-turf_N.htm
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7-30-2008 @ 11:36AM
sean adelsohn said...
In light of the recent press surrounding “lead and artificial turf”, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) took it upon themselves to conduct thorough testing of several artificial turf fields. After carefully examining the results, CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said “parents should not be concerned about harmful levels of lead in artificial turf “and that “our message is: go out and play.” http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-07-29-artificial-turf_N.htm
In addition, we at FieldTurf have compiled a comprehensive review of the facts which confirm the results presented by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and validate the safety of the FieldTurf artificial turf system. I urge you to review them at http://www.fieldturf.com/leadissues/
Sincerely,
Sean Adelsohn
FieldTurf
Reply