The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released the results of their evaluation of the safety of synthetic turf used at many school and government-owned athletic fields throughout the U.S. Although some older fields were found to contain lead, the commission concluded that young children are not at risk of lead poisoning as a result of synthetic turf.
There are over 3,500 synthetic turf fields throughout the United States. Many natural grass fields have been replaced in recent years with artificial turf because it can be played on in all weather conditions and is easier to maintain. However, in recent months, concerns have surfaced about lead contained in the turf, which could impact the health of children who play on them.
The nylon used to make the artificial grass may disintegrate over time and release dust containing lead particles. If enough of the dust is transferred from the hands to the mouth, ingested through water bottles or food placed on the field or absorbed through the skin, it could cause lead poisoning.
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Learn MoreChildren are especially susceptible to lead poisoning, which could cause behavioral problems, brain damage, a weakened immune system or even death. In adults, lead poisoning may cause kidney failure, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.
Concerns about the exposure of children to excessive levels of lead in synthetic turf were raised after the metal was detected on some playing fields in New Jersey. In April 2008, the CPSC agreed to investigate artificial turf fields to evaluate the risk to children posed by the quantities of lead posed found on fields.
Last week, the California-based Center for Environmental Health filed a synthetic turf lawsuit against certain manufacturers of these fields. The watchdog group tested over 50 samples of synthetic turf and found that one-third of the samples contained lead in excess of the California upper limit of 0.5 microgram per day of lead exposure. Manufacturers have insisted that their products are safe and that the lead could not leach out of the nylon grass and become airborne.
On July 30, the CPSC issued a statement that the level of lead exposure for children playing on artificial turf fields was not high enough to merit concern. It suggested preventive measures such as washing hands after play and also recommended that new turf be reformulated to exclude lead. The report indicates that worn out nylon may release some lead with time but not enough to be a risk to children.
The Center for Environmental Health criticized the findings of the CPSC and pointed out several flaws in their evaluation. The group indicated that the government’s sample size of 14 was not representative enough. In addition, an outdated standard of 15 micrograms per day of lead exposure was viewed as acceptable, even though California standards are 30 times more protective.
The environmental watchdog group intends to move forward with the lawsuit filed against synthetic turf manufacturers, and will continue their efforts to ensure that artificial turf fields are reformulate to protect children from lead exposure today and in the future.
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Rubber Turf Field in NYC Closed Due to High Levels of Lead : AboutLawsuits.comJanuary 2, 2009 at 2:02 am
[...] U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has taken the position that artificial grass lead levels are safe. In a report issued in August 2008, the CPSC indicated that the amount of lead present in playing [...]
Morgaine ChyaOctober 6, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Not addressed in this article, or the rebuttals posted here, are the following: 1) Lead is not the only pollution and health issue involved with synthetic turf. Other chemicals and minerals that may be present in ST that includes rubber infill are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), benzene, phthalates, phenols, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrosamin[Show More]Not addressed in this article, or the rebuttals posted here, are the following: 1) Lead is not the only pollution and health issue involved with synthetic turf. Other chemicals and minerals that may be present in ST that includes rubber infill are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), benzene, phthalates, phenols, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrosamines, latex, zinc, cadmium, selenium and lead. Some of these "outgas." 2) Whe these fields are irrigated, the runoff may contain any of the above-named toxicities. Irrigatng the fied is recommended to keep the temperature down. California has stringent stormwater pollution regulations, and it would seem important that this irrigation run off be collected and disposed of appropriately. 3) An issue not mentioned at all is the increased incidence of life-threatening MRSA infections in those who play on ST fields. One death of a student in NJ has been attributed to the ST, and increase in incidents of MRSA infections have been reported with ST. 4) As a response to risk of MRSA infections, the ST industry has come out wih bactericies which are applied as an aqueous formula. There are three problems with this: a) Exposure of players to bactericide. b) Pollution from irriation or stormwater runoff. c) Breeding bactericide-resistant MRSA organisms secondary to exposure to bactericide. THese problms shouldbe of concern to everyone, even those who do not use the ST fields. Pollution in runoff impacts all of us, as does the breeding of bactericide-resistant MRSA organisms. Most importantly, a child who gets sick from playing on ST is not just their parents' concern; it becomes everyone's concern, because, as humans, we don't just love our own children, we care and are protectiive to all children.
JacksonAugust 30, 2008 at 6:35 am
Mad Mom, which company installed your artificial grass?
MAD MOMAugust 29, 2008 at 4:39 am
Had synthetic turf installed in my backyard for my kids to play on. Tests revealed 6,559 parts per million of total lead content. I am a VERY UNHAPPY MOM right now. I have an autistic son and now have a NEUROTOXIN in my backyard. CPSC needs to go down for their broad, general statement that synthetic turf is safe, go out and play. CHECK OUT THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AFTER PLAYING ON THESE FI[Show More]Had synthetic turf installed in my backyard for my kids to play on. Tests revealed 6,559 parts per million of total lead content. I am a VERY UNHAPPY MOM right now. I have an autistic son and now have a NEUROTOXIN in my backyard. CPSC needs to go down for their broad, general statement that synthetic turf is safe, go out and play. CHECK OUT THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AFTER PLAYING ON THESE FIELDS and the CDC STATEMENTS ABOUT LEAD BEING A NEUROTOXIN THAT ACCUMULATES IN THE BODY OVER TIME AND THAT WE SHOULD ELIMINATE ALL SOURCES OF EXPOSURE.
ASGiAugust 25, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Artificial turf has it’s appropriate uses, not all products are created equal and consumers should know more about the products, selections and installation options which, if industry standards are followed, remain beautiful and porous for the surfaces life-cycle. If you’ve never seen the artificial grasses up close - many styles are very realistic and can help to mitigate dust and erosion contro[Show More]Artificial turf has it’s appropriate uses, not all products are created equal and consumers should know more about the products, selections and installation options which, if industry standards are followed, remain beautiful and porous for the surfaces life-cycle. If you’ve never seen the artificial grasses up close - many styles are very realistic and can help to mitigate dust and erosion control - along with saving millions of gallons of water per year. See ASGi’s publicdownloads of the CDC, CPSC, EPA, EHHI, CAES and California health and safety reports. http://www.asgi.us/syntheticturfinformationlibrary.htm Also look into the rebates pages on the site and you will find that many drought ridden states encourage the use of artificial turf. http://www.asgi.us/artificial_grass_rebates.htm Please visit and download some of our free guides at http://www.asgi.us/xwp Annie Costa Exec Dir Assoc of Synthetic Grass Installers ASGi
Warren McpheeAugust 6, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Great news! As a parent of children who constantly use artificial turf, I have been ceaselessly urging skeptical parents to not worry about their kids' when playing on such a surface. Now with such strong support I doubt I will have to get in lengthy debates about the safety of our children while watching them play soccer matches on such surfaces. I have been a big supporter of these fields and I'[Show More]Great news! As a parent of children who constantly use artificial turf, I have been ceaselessly urging skeptical parents to not worry about their kids' when playing on such a surface. Now with such strong support I doubt I will have to get in lengthy debates about the safety of our children while watching them play soccer matches on such surfaces. I have been a big supporter of these fields and I'm happy to know that everyone else will now know they are safe too.
GrassmanAugust 4, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Interesting story- I wonder why you leave out certain obvious points and include others that are rather dubious? WHen you say "in recent months" it has become a concern- why not explain why? In New Jersey they were testing areas to see if a scrap metal yard had polluted neighboring sites- not to see if artificial turf contains lead! They reported high levels of lead, but what was not reported [Show More]Interesting story- I wonder why you leave out certain obvious points and include others that are rather dubious? WHen you say "in recent months" it has become a concern- why not explain why? In New Jersey they were testing areas to see if a scrap metal yard had polluted neighboring sites- not to see if artificial turf contains lead! They reported high levels of lead, but what was not reported was that the background levels of lead around that site were something like 38,000 parts per million or that the testing methods were total content tests designed for other applications- not testing a product like artificial turf- so the tests and the reuslts were meaningless and sparked a media frenzy that has wasted millions of dollars of tax payer moeny nationwide. In addition, your story sort of jumps around and makes it sound as though there is evidence that these fields wear out and that there is then a dangerous amount of lead on the turf- there is no evidence of that whatsoever. The levels of lead are non-detect. And the standards used are federal not arbitrary. You report that the CEH sited 14 flaws in the CPSC study- why not say the CEH alleges 14 flaws- did you independantly verify that they are flaws or inquire with the CPSC as to their position on that? Or the top scientists in the country who have been studying this for months? There are not flaws. The CEH shoud realize how preposterous it is to claim that a single swipe of a field can produce dangerous levels of lead and yet no one has ever connected a dangerous or even high level or elevated blood level with a single person out of the tens of millions playing on 100's of millions of sq. ft. of synthetic turf for over a decade! It shoudl likewise recognize that it is extremely unlikely that one field out of 50 would test that way- more indicative of a problem with the testing or data. Also, the CPSC tested more samples than the CEH claims and other scientist have tested quite a number of additional samples all with the same results. In addition, the samples tested were all of the worst possible scenario given the premise that there is danger out there somehow and how it supposedly presents itself- older fields, etc. The encapsulated lead chromate does not leach out- there is no lead dust from the suppoesedly decomposed fibers on the fields, and no one is absorbing any lead from these fields. Those are facts. It would be nice if you would ask some hard questons of these people. They were totally silent before the New Jersey field fiasco- now suddenly they are experts and have all the issues and answers.