oregonpackfan
07-31-2008, 11:57 AM
Artificial turf found to be safe, U.S. says
A government evaluation of turf fields shows the surface poses no threat of lead contamination
Thursday, July 31, 2008
RACHEL BACHMAN
The Oregonian Staff
It looks as though kids can play their days away on artificial turf. The surface poses no threat of lead contamination, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday.
Concerns over lead detected in a handful of older synthetic-turf playing fields last year prompted the CPSC's evaluation, which included analyzing samples of a variety of turf fields.
All major brands were examined, said Julie Vallese, CPSC director of information and public affairs. The findings suggest that such types as FieldTurf, popular in Oregon and nationwide, pose no threat of lead contamination.
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"We're thrilled with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's evaluation, as you can imagine," said spokeswoman Shira Miller of the Synthetic Turf Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes education about artificial turf and represents about 90 percent of the industry.
The CPSC found that newer fields had no lead or the lowest lead levels, according to a news release. Small amounts of lead were detected on the surface of some older fields, but none of those tested released lead at levels that would harm children.
Artificial turf has become hugely popular on sports fields and in parks in recent years, in part because it can be used much more heavily than most natural grass.
Though the evaluation found no dangerous lead levels, the CPSC will ask that voluntary standards be developed for synthetic turf to exclude the use of lead in future products.
The Synthetic Turf Council will aim to "eliminate lead in all products where feasible," council president Rick Doyle said in a statement.
Rachel Bachman: 503-221-4373; rachelbachman@news.oregonian.com
A government evaluation of turf fields shows the surface poses no threat of lead contamination
Thursday, July 31, 2008
RACHEL BACHMAN
The Oregonian Staff
It looks as though kids can play their days away on artificial turf. The surface poses no threat of lead contamination, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday.
Concerns over lead detected in a handful of older synthetic-turf playing fields last year prompted the CPSC's evaluation, which included analyzing samples of a variety of turf fields.
All major brands were examined, said Julie Vallese, CPSC director of information and public affairs. The findings suggest that such types as FieldTurf, popular in Oregon and nationwide, pose no threat of lead contamination.
Advertisement
"We're thrilled with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's evaluation, as you can imagine," said spokeswoman Shira Miller of the Synthetic Turf Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes education about artificial turf and represents about 90 percent of the industry.
The CPSC found that newer fields had no lead or the lowest lead levels, according to a news release. Small amounts of lead were detected on the surface of some older fields, but none of those tested released lead at levels that would harm children.
Artificial turf has become hugely popular on sports fields and in parks in recent years, in part because it can be used much more heavily than most natural grass.
Though the evaluation found no dangerous lead levels, the CPSC will ask that voluntary standards be developed for synthetic turf to exclude the use of lead in future products.
The Synthetic Turf Council will aim to "eliminate lead in all products where feasible," council president Rick Doyle said in a statement.
Rachel Bachman: 503-221-4373; rachelbachman@news.oregonian.com