Danger of Lead Poisoning in Artificial Turf

The CDC has recently made public, and issued a "CDC Health Advisory" regarding the results of a study in which toxic levels of lead were found in Artificial turf. You know,the fake grass that covers some sports fields, playgrounds and patios.

It seems that some of the turf contains amounts of lead which could potentially be toxic, especially to children under six years old.

This was discovered quite by accident. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior
Services (NJDHSS) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) was conducting a routine health inspection of a metal plant for lead, and decided to test an adjacent athletic field. The dust on the field contained high levels of lead, but it was determined that the lead did not come from the metal facility.

Further testing concluded that the lead came from the artificial turf itself. This led them to test other places which use artificial turf, and they fouinf that those turfs made of nylon or nylon/polyethylene blend fibers contains levels of lead that pose a potential public health concern. Tests of artificial turf fields made with only polyethylene fibers showed that these fields contained very low levels of lead.

It seems that over time, and use,  the fibers of the turf wear down, become frayed, or otherwise torn, relasing small amounts of lead onto the surface area.

New turf does not pose a risk, as the fibers are intact. It is when the "blades" of grass are worn, torn, or abraded, that the lead leeches out.  It is the old turf that is posing a risk, not new.

Should you have a child which plays on a artificial field, playground or other area covered in old "fake grass" the CDC recommends the following:


1. After playing on the field, individuals are encouraged to perform aggressive hand and body washing for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water.

2.Clothes worn on the field should be taken off and turned inside out as soon as possible after using the field to avoid tracking contaminated dust to other places. In vehicles, people can sit on a large towel or blanket if it is not feasible to remove their clothes. These clothes, towels, and blankets should be washed separately andshoes worn on the field should be kept outside of the home.
   
3.Eating while on the field or turf product is discouraged.
   
4. Avoid contaminating drinking containers with dust and fibers from the field. When not drinking, close them and keep them in a bag, cooler, or other covered container on the side of the field.


Lead poisoning is a serious problem, especially for small children. It can lead to neurological deficits, including a lower than average IQ. For more information about lead poisoning, please read the article I penned on the subject last September:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977113566

Information contained in this article was garnered from the CDC's "Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity" bulletin, and used with permission. 

In closing, I would like to encourage anyone who has a deck, patio or even lawn covered in old, worn artificial turf to remove it or replace it as soon as possible, especially if you have small children.