Synthetic Turf Ruled Safe for Play

By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY

Young children are "not at risk from exposure to lead" in artificial turf fields, according to a nationwide evaluation of the surfaces by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The evaluation, obtained by USA TODAY, is due out today.

"Our message is: go out and play," CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese said. "Parents should not be concerned about harmful levels of lead in artificial turf."


TURF MAKER: Relieved after turf declared safe

Because of its durability and ease of maintenance, synthetic turf has been installed at thousands of schools, parks and indoor sports facilities in the USA.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Oklahoma | New Jersey | Maryland | New York | Julie Vallese | Synthetic Turf Council | ASTM International
Newer fields "generally had the lowest levels," a summary of the evaluation said. "Although small amounts of lead were detected on the surface of older fields, none of these tested fields released amounts of lead that would be harmful to children."

Still, the CPSC will urge the adoption of voluntary standards to "preclude the use of lead in future products," according to the summary. The CPSC is contacting ASTM International, a Pennsylvania-based standards developer, about creating specifications that could lead to lead-free turf, Vallese said. "We don't want to see lead creep back into the product," she says.

"We're delighted by the CPSC's expression that synthetic turf is safe for young children," Rick Doyle, president of The Synthetic Turf Council, said. "We'll be issuing a press release (Wednesday) that will include a voluntary commitment by the STC, that was crafted by the STC board and yarn manufacturers yesterday, announcing a reduction in future lead levels over time."

The CPSC evaluated 40 turf samples from across the country and tested nine at its labs in Maryland.

The CPSC began its investigation in April, not long after two fields in New Jersey were closed because state health regulators found high levels of lead in turf fiber samples. At least seven other fields in New Jersey and New York subsequently were closed. Several of these nine facilities have been reopened with new artificial surfaces.

But the closings gave a platform to those who had been raising health and environmental concerns about artificial surfaces. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also launched a look at artificial turf, and legislators in five states began working to get studies done.

The EPA is moving ahead with its assessment, with results expected by fall, spokesman Dale Kemery said. Testing will be limited to volatile chemicals that might be emitted into the air, plus wipe tests to determine what, if any, chemicals could affect the skin of field users, he said.