Grist
July 31, 2008
Artificial field turf does not expose young children to harmful levels of lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission concluded Wednesday. "Our message is: go out and play," says a CPSC spokesperson. Because it's durable, easy to maintain, and doesn't require pesticides, synthetic turf has increasingly replaced grass fields across the U.S. Manufacturers insist that the lead that gives the green "grass" its color cannot leach out or become airborne; however, concerns about turf toxicity came to a head in the fall when New Jersey officials found worrisome lead levels in a handful of fields. The CPSC found that while lead exposure does appear to increase over time as synthetic grass fibers break down, none of the fields the agency tested "released amounts of lead that would be harmful to children." However, the agency did ask industry to develop voluntary standards to keep lead out of future turf products. "I have concerns about the conclusions drawn in their evaluation," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). "It is particularly disconcerting that at the same time they are saying the synthetic fields are safe, they are urging that voluntary guidelines be developed."
July 31, 2008
Artificial field turf does not expose young children to harmful levels of lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission concluded Wednesday. "Our message is: go out and play," says a CPSC spokesperson. Because it's durable, easy to maintain, and doesn't require pesticides, synthetic turf has increasingly replaced grass fields across the U.S. Manufacturers insist that the lead that gives the green "grass" its color cannot leach out or become airborne; however, concerns about turf toxicity came to a head in the fall when New Jersey officials found worrisome lead levels in a handful of fields. The CPSC found that while lead exposure does appear to increase over time as synthetic grass fibers break down, none of the fields the agency tested "released amounts of lead that would be harmful to children." However, the agency did ask industry to develop voluntary standards to keep lead out of future turf products. "I have concerns about the conclusions drawn in their evaluation," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). "It is particularly disconcerting that at the same time they are saying the synthetic fields are safe, they are urging that voluntary guidelines be developed."
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