Potential Exposure to Lead in Artificial Turf
In the course of conducting a routine health investigation at
a metal facility in Newark, NJ, the New Jersey Department of
Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) and the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) tested a nearby
community athletic field for lead contamination. Samples taken
from the field showed high levels of lead in the field dust, but
the lead did not come from the scrap metal facility.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is
partnering with ATSDR to monitor the situation. Read the complete
CDC Health Advisory at
www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00275)
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) Response
Environmental health experts are currently contacting
manufacturers and technical experts to determine the facts and
risk. There have been no reported cases of elevated blood level
tests in children in the US due to exposure to artificial turf.
BCPH Recommendations
- Organizations that have artifical turf fields should
identify their nylon or nylon-blend artificial turf fields
from venders. Recommendations for testing of worn nylon or
nylon-blend artificial athletic fields will be provided in
the first week of July.
- Testing is a precaution, and CDC recommendations should
be acted upon within reason.
CDC Recommendations
- Test artificial turf that has worn, dusty, and nylon or
nylon-blend fibers
- If testing shows lead at levels greater than 400 ppm
(mg/Kg), restrict access to children younger than 6.
- Ensure alternate fields do not contain lead.
- No testing is necessary for turf made from
polyethylene-only fibers or nylon turf that is not worn and
is not dusty.
- Replace fields that are worn or dusty as soon as it is
practical.
The CDC recommends testing children’s blood lead levels in
accordance with state guidelines. Concerned parents/caregivers
should consult their medical providers for further information.
General Lead Poisoning Prevention Recommendations
Especially in houses where children are present, parents, day
care providers, and other child care providers should follow
lead safety practices regardless of the type of playing
surface. Safety practices include:
- Wash children’s hands frequently and always before they
eat.
- Do not eat food or use pacifiers that have been dropped
on the floor or outside.
- Remove shoes when entering the house, or use door mats.
- Have your house inspected for lead if it was built
before 1978.
- Use lead-safe work practices when doing work that
disturbs lead-painted surfaces.
More information from BCPH about
lead
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