LEAD in artifical turf now! Legal action started by CEH

[notyard]

Center for Environmental Health press release--now it turns out that much of the nice bright green color in artificial turf and indoor/outdoor fake grass carpet comes from LEAD CHROMATE, and, yes, it comes off as lead onto hands/feet/dust in the air/etc. :( :

Legal Action Launched on Lead in Artificial Turf

| Print | (http://www.cehca.org/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=310&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=166) For Immediate Release

Jun 23, 2008

Lead threats from synthetic turf are not just from sport fields – testing finds lead in artificial grass from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, OSH and residential installers.


Oakland, CA- Independent testing commissioned by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has found high levels of lead in artificial turf, including turf and indoor/outdoor grass carpet purchased from Home Depot, Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH), Ace Hardware and Lowe’s, as well as from carpet retailers, online marketers, Bay Area turf installers, and from turf obtained from a Bay Area elementary school. A test result on one sample showed that a single wipe of a child’s hand on the turf could, if the child then wiped her hand on her mouth, suffer a lead exposure in violation of California law.

“Parents see their kids playing on artificial turf and they expect the turf to be safe,” said Michael Green, Executive Director of CEH. “But we found that artificial grass and turf can pose a real health threat to children. You may not have to mow it or water it, but unfortunately our findings show that you do have to test it for lead.”

Recent reports have found high lead levels in turf on artificial turf playing fields, but the CEH testing shows that artificial grass used by residential installers and sold to do-it-yourselfers can also be a health threat. In addition to the home improvement retailers, the CEH testing found lead in indoor/outdoor grass carpets made by Shaw Floors and Atlas Floor Coverings; and artificial grass obtained from residential installers and dealers in turf for do-it-yourself installation, including AstroLawn and SynLawn (divisions of AstroTurf, a subsidiary of Crystal Products), U.S. Turf, NewGrass, ProGreen International, Best Turf for Less, Turf Headquarters, Forever Lawn, and Synthetic Turf International.

CEH initiated legal action against the retailers and synthetic turf companies under California’s Proposition 65 law today. The nonprofit is calling for turf makers to reformulate their products to eliminate the lead risk to children. CEH is recommending that parents and schools be sure that children wash their hands thoroughly after playing on artificial turf fields. The nonprofit is also announcing that parents, schools or others with artificial turf fields can send samples of turf for free lead testing to the nonprofit’s Oakland office.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a warning about potential lead exposures from turf, stating that “As the turf ages and weathers, lead is released in dust that could then be ingested or inhaled, and the risk for harmful exposure increases.” One of the turf samples CEH found with high levels of accessible lead was obtained from the yard of a Bay Area elementary school that had the turf installed (3) years ago.

Children playing on artificial grass can be exposed when lead from turf wipes off onto their hands (from hand-to-mouth behaviors), and young children may be more at risk since they are more likely to swallow turf material. Children can also be exposed when turf degrades in the sun and releases lead-tainted dust. In the 1990’s, the CPSC announced recalls of certain vinyl mini-blinds due to the potential for lead poisoning from dust on the blinds.

Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause learning disorders, brain and nerve damage, hearing problems, stunted growth, and digestive problems. Scientists are increasingly concerned that there is no safe level of lead exposure, especially for young children.

The testing commissioned by CEH analyzed total lead concentration in turf and also used a standard wipe test to ascertain the amount of accessible lead from contact with the turf. The tests found high levels of lead in both nylon and polyethylene turf samples.

In New Jersey, several turf fields have been closed after high lead levels were found. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) recently tested artificial turf and dust from turf fields and found that lead in turf can become accessible and pose a health hazard when digested. In a letter to CPSC, the NJ agency stated that its testing showed that “lead dissolves from turf fibers and the turf field dust under stomach acid conditions, and is available to be absorbed through the small intestine.”

According to the synthetic turf industry, the NJ study confirmed the safety of turf. But NJDHSS found otherwise, stating that for children exposed to lead from artificial turf, “the potential for lead poisoning to occur is plausible.” The agency also called for alternatives to the use of lead in the manufacture of synthetic turf.

In May, the California Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) calling for a state study investigating the health and environmental impacts of natural versus synthetic turf fields. The bill, SB 1277, now goes to the Assembly.

A CEH report and more information is available by clicking here (http://www.cehca.org/documents/lead_in_grass.pdf). Consumers with questions about sending samples for lead testing to CEH can call 510-594-9864.

The CDC statement is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/artificialturf.htm (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/artificialturf.htm)

The NJDHSS press release and more information is available at http://nj.gov/cgi-bin/dhss/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=3190 (http://nj.gov/cgi-bin/dhss/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=3190)

Information on SB 1277 is available at http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_1277&sess=CUR&house=B&site (http://www.cehca.org/making-news/)

Caroline Cox (http://www.cehca.org/making-news/), Research Director, 510-594-9864 x308

Charles Margulis (http://www.cehca.org/making-news/), Communications Director, 510-697-0615

[notyard]

CDC press release on the lead in artificial turf:


This is an official
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY

Distributed via Health Alert Network
Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 16:10 EDT (4:10 PM EDT)
CDCHAN-00275-2008-06-18-ADV-N


Potential Exposure to Lead in Artificial Turf:
Public Health Issues, Actions, and Recommendations

Public Health Issues

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 its sister-agency, ATSDR, to monitor this situation because of CDC’s expertise in lead poisoning prevention.

After determining that the lead source was the artificial turf, NJDHSS began to test other artificial turf fields looking for similar high lead levels in artificial turf fibers. These findings raised concerns about potentially high lead levels in artificial turf used in other locations including fields and playgrounds. NJDHSS tested a limited sample of athletic fields in New Jersey. Any questions regarding the specific fields tested should be directed to NJDHSS.

As determined by NJDHSS, limited sampling of additional athletic fields in New Jersey and commercial products indicates that artificial turf 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.

Information provided by NJDHSS to CDC and ATSDR indicates that some of the fields with elevated lead in either dust and/or turf fiber samples were weathered and visibly dusty. Fields that are old, that are used frequently, and that are exposed to the weather break down into dust as the turf fibers are worn or demonstrate progressive signs of weathering, including fibers that are abraded, faded or broken. These factors should be considered when evaluating the potential for harmful lead exposures from a given field.

The risk for harmful lead exposure is low from new fields with elevated lead levels in their turf fibers because the turf fibers are still intact and the lead is unlikely to be available for harmful exposures to occur. As the turf ages and weathers, lead is released in dust that could then be ingested or inhaled, and the risk for harmful exposure increases. If exposures do occur, CDC currently does not know how much lead the body will absorb; however, if enough lead is absorbed, it can cause neurological development symptoms (e.g. deficits in IQ). Additional tests are being performed by NJDHSS to help us better understand the absorption of lead from these products.

In general, children less than 6 years old are more likely to be affected by lead than adults because of increased contact with lead sources in the environment, including lead contaminated house dust and soil. Children also absorb lead more easily. Children's developing nervous systems are also more susceptible to the adverse health effects of lead including developmental delay and behavioral problems.

It should be emphasized that although turf testing has been limited to the state of New Jersey, no cases of elevated blood lead levels in children have been linked to artificial turf on athletic fields in New Jersey and elsewhere. Concerned parents should talk to their child’s pediatrician about potential and known sources of lead in their children's environment and whether their children should have a blood lead test. This is a simple blood test that is paid for by most private insurers and by Medicaid.

NJDHSS has asked the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate this potential problem and CDC and ATSDR are currently waiting for information from CPSC to help guide future public health recommendations and actions.

Interim Public Health Actions Related to Testing Artificial Turf Products and Reducing Potential Exposures to Lead

NJDHHS’s testing of artificial turf fields was limited and only sampled turf containing nylon. Since NJDHHS, CDC and ATSDR did not test fields composed of substances other than nylon and nylon/polyethelene blend, we do not know if lead is also a component in other types of artificial turf. Additionally, not necessarily all turf made of nylon contains elevated amounts of lead.

CDC has long recommended the elimination of all nonessential uses of lead. Because it is unclear whether all artificial turf contains lead at this time,CDC and ATSDR only recommend testing artificial turf fields that appear worn or weathered.
As a precaution, until further guidance is available from CPSC and until we have more information about the absorption of lead from artificial turf products and its capability of harm, CDC and ATSDR recommend:

· Testing turf that has fibers that are abraded, faded or broken, contains visible dust, and that is made from nylon or nylon-blend fibers. Information about testing is provided later in this alert.
· If the dust contains more than 400 ppm lead, do not allow turf access for children under the age of 6 years.
· If access is restricted, care should be taken to ensure that alternative sites contain lead levels less than 400 ppm.
· Not testing turf made from polyethylene-only fibers. This recommendation is based on currently available data.
· Not testing turf made from nylon or nylon blends that is not worn and does not contain visible dust. These fields should be routinely monitored for wear and dust generation.
· Replacing fields as soon as practicable if worn and dusty, as a precautionary measure.

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 Recommendations on the Use of Fields with Artificial Turf

At this time, CDC does not yet understand the potential risks associated with exposure to dust from worn artificial turf. The following precautions can be taken to minimize any potential risk.

· Field managers should consider implementing dust-suppression measures. Suggestions for dust-suppression methods can be found at NJDHSS’s website, which is provided in the additional information section.
· Children ages 6 and younger are most susceptible to lead’s harmful health effects. To protect the public, in particular young children, consider posting signs indicating that:
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 and shoes 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 Testing of Artificial Turf Fields

Facility managers who choose to have the turf at a field tested for lead should contact their local or state department of health and/or environment about appropriate sample collection and analytic methods. CDC and ATSDR recommend using appropriate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or American Society for Testing and Materials methods.

[notyard]

Two press releases from the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services, including testing results for the artificial turf:

DHSS Calls for Federal Action on Potential Lead Hazard Posed by Artificial Turf




Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard has urged the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate the artificial turf used on athletic fields, play areas and in homes, after New Jersey testing found high lead levels in selected samples of turf fibers.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services tested 12 artificial turf fields at municipal parks and colleges, and found that two had lead levels eight to ten times above the state’s residential soil standard for cleanup of contaminated properties. DHSS also tested samples of turf marketed for residential use. Two samples had similarly high lead levels.


It is not known whether lead from turf can be absorbed by the body as easily as lead from other sources such as lead paint or contaminated soil. Specialized tests are pending on the high-lead turf samples that can provide more information. Results are expected by early May.

The most conservative approach would be to limit access to the fields that have been identified with lead. Based on the limited information we have at this time, the Department’s assessment is that there is a very low risk for exposure. The risk of exposure can be reduced by proper maintenance of the field, including wetting down the field. Users of the field should wash properly and ensure that their clothing is washed after play.

The tested turf was composed of either nylon, polyethylene, or a mixture of the two. High lead levels were seen only in artificial turf containing nylon fibers.

“This is a potential consumer safety issue with national implications, since these turf products are widely distributed. While we are doing additional testing on the samples, we recommend that field managers exercise caution to protect against potential exposures for those who use the fields where high lead levels were found,’’ Commissioner Howard said.

Deputy Commissioner and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, requested further investigation of the turf issue in an April 11, 2008 letter to Patricia Semple, executive director of the CPSC. The federal agency is charged with protecting the public from dangerous consumer products.

DHSS discovered lead in artificial turf while assisting the federal Environmental Protection Agency in an investigation of a metals scrap yard in Newark. DHSS collected and tested dust and fibers from an adjacent turf field on which children were playing. The Department found high lead levels in the turf fibers, and recommended the field be closed, which was done.

The Department first contacted the CPSC last December to give the agency the lead testing results and express concern that the findings could have nationwide impact. CSPC said it did not have sufficient information to take any action, prompting DHSS to do further sampling. As a result, the DHSS decided to test additional turf sites and other consumer turf products.

Artificial turf fibers were randomly tested at 12 sites. These 10 sites were found not to have high lead levels:

· Van Fleet Park, Fort Lee, Bergen County
· Memorial Park and Kennedy Park, Borough of Lodi, Bergen County
· Memorial Park, Park Ridge, Bergen County
· Church Square Park and Steven’s Park, Hoboken, Hudson County
· Mercer County College Soccer Field, West Windsor, Mercer County
· The College of New Jersey Soccer Field, Ewing Township, Mercer County
· Smithfield Park and Veteran’s Park, Parsippany, Morris County.

The two sites containing elevated lead levels were Frank Sinatra Park at 5th Street, Hoboken and The College of New Jersey’s Lion’s Stadium Field in Ewing. Three fields in Hoboken were tested and the other two fields were far below the DEP soil cleanup criteria. A second field at the College of New Jersey, a soccer field, was tested and did not have lead detected above lab reporting standards.

Both were notified of the results today. Both Hoboken Mayor David Roberts and the College of New Jersey have been extremely cooperative and will continue to work with the Department on the best course of action.

There are no national guidelines for lead in artificial turf. In the absence of guidance, the DHSS is using the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s residential soil cleanup criteria for lead of 400 mg/Kg.

“We do not know the health impact -- if any – that may result in people who used these fields,” said Dr. Bresnitz. “One concern is that, for children who live in homes with lead-based paint or who have had other lead exposures, any lead from turf would just add to the lead levels in their bodies.”

Please visit the DHSS web site at www.nj.gov/health/artificialturf (http://www.nj.gov/health/artificialturf) for fact sheets and additional information.



and:

DHSS Releases Final Artificial Turf Test Results

Further laboratory testing has shown that lead can be dissolved from artificial turf fibers and turf field dust under conditions that simulate the human digestive process, leaving the lead available for the body to absorb, Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard said today.


The amount of lead dissolved from turf dust and some turf fibers was similar to that seen in studies of household dust and soil samples where the same testing method was used, the test results showed.


“Lead is known to harm children’s health and neurologic development. These test results show there is reason for concern about the potential for lead exposure from artificial turf fields that contain lead,” Commissioner Howard said.


“It’s a special concern for children who are already exposed to lead, possibly by living in a home with lead paint. This could add to the lead levels already in their bodies,” added State Epidemiologist and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Eddy Bresnitz.


The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) continues to recommend that turf field managers and consumers who use residential turf products first determine if their turf includes fibers with lead in them. Earlier DHSS testing of a limited number of artificial turf samples found elevated lead levels in products that contain nylon fibers.


The most conservative approach would be to limit access to an artificial turf field that contains lead. Proper maintenance can reduce exposure risk. Field users should wash properly afterward and ensure that their clothing is washed.


Last month, Dr. Bresnitz sent the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) a letter, urging it to investigate the artificial turf used on athletic fields, play areas and in homes after New Jersey testing found very high lead levels in some artificial turf samples. Artificial turf products are distributed nationwide.


Although other studies had shown that lead from lead paint or contaminated soil can be absorbed by the body, it was not known whether someone who accidentally swallowed bits of artificial turf fiber or turf field dust would be similarly at risk.


DHSS arranged for additional testing of lead-containing turf and dust samples. The testing simulated the human digestive process to determine whether, and how much, lead could be dissolved out of the fibers and become available for absorption.

The amount of lead actually absorbed by any individual would vary based on lead particle size, the person’s age and the person’s nutritional status, among other factors.


DHSS has sent the CPSC and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a follow-up letter outlining the latest test results. DHSS also urged the agency to continue its turf investigation and to determine the appropriate measures to protect public health nationally.


For more information, please visit the DHSS web site at: http://nj.gov/health/artificialturf/index.shtml. For more information on lead poisoning, visit our Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Page at http://nj.gov/health/fhs/newborn/lead.shtml.

[notyard]

CPSC investigated and now sounds the all clear on artificial turf, but also asks for development of standards for future artificial turf production:


NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission


Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2008
Release #08-348
CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contacts: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Staff Finds Synthetic Turf Fields OK to Install, OK to Play On

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff today released its evaluation (http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia08/os/turfassessment.pdf) (pdf) of various synthetic athletic fields. The evaluation concludes that young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields.

CPSC staff evaluation showed that newer fields had no lead or generally had the lowest lead levels. Although small amounts of lead were detected on the surface of some older fields, none of these tested fields released amounts of lead that would be harmful to children.

Lead is present in the pigments of some synthetic turf products to give the turf its various colors. Staff recognizes that some conditions such as age, weathering, exposure to sunlight, and wear and tear might change the amount of lead that could be released from the turf. As turf is used during athletics or play and exposed over time to sunlight, heat and other weather conditions, the surface of the turf may start to become worn and small particles of the lead-containing synthetic grass fibers might be released. The staff considered in the evaluation that particles on a child’s hand transferred to his/her mouth would be the most likely route of exposure and determined young children would not be at risk.

Although this evaluation found no harmful lead levels, CPSC staff is asking that voluntary standards be developed for synthetic turf to preclude the use of lead in future products. This action is being taken proactively to address any future production of synthetic turf and to set a standard for any new entrants to the market to follow.

As an overall guideline, CPSC staff recommends young children wash their hands after playing outside, especially before eating.

[notyard]

CEHCA states that the CPSC didn't test properly and manipulated data--at this point, I'm just really glad that we play on real grass here. For those of you playing on artificial turf, it's left up to you to wade through the information from the multiple opposing fronts in this "artifical turf war":

For Immediate Release
Jul 30, 2008
Contact: Caro
line Cox 510-594-9864 x. 308 (office) or 541-654-2626 (cell) or Charles Margulis 510-697-0615 (cell)


Consumer Watchdog Finds Fatal Flaws in CPSC Findings on Artificial Turf

The CEH is disappointed but not surprised that the Bush CPSC has today released a flawed analysis of the dangers to children from artificial turf. After CEH found other lead threats to children, including high levels of lead in vinyl baby bibs and vinyl children's lunchboxes, CPSC released similar manipulated test data and misleading statements about the safety of these products. CPSC's turf analysis uses a lead standard that is 30 times less protective than California law and an approach that was designed for testing arsenic-treated wood that was not developed for use with turf.

"The Bush CPSC is out to lunch on lead in artificial turf," said Michael Green, Executive Director of CEH. "They could not be trusted to protect children from lead in baby bibs or lunchboxes, and now we see that they can't be trusted to protect children from lead in turf."

Despite CPSC's statements on the "safety" of baby bibs and lunchboxes, both of those industries settled lawsuits brought by CEH under California law, eliminating the lead threat to children by reformulating their products to meet CA standards. CEH will hold turf makers and retailers to the same high standard.

This week, after months of deliberations Congress reached agreement on a CPSC reform bill it will send to Pres Bush. The bill calls for a phase-out of lead in children's products, ultimately banning lead at levels above 100 ppm. CPSC's own testing found lead in turf samples at 100 times that level.

Flaws in CPSC's turf study include:

* The CPSC evaluation is based on the outdated assumption that exposure of 15 micrograms of lead per day is acceptable for children. The California standard is 30 times more protective, and current science suggests that no level of exposure to lead is safe for children. For example, the U.S. Public Health Service states, "No safe blood lead level in children has been determined."

* The CPSC evaluation does not consider that children will contact turf multiple times while playing, thus making multiple exposures to lead likely.

* The CPSC, based only on what the agency calls "limited hand sampling," minimizes the potential for children to be exposed to lead, by assuming that children will be exposed to five times less lead than the agency's protocol actually found.

* The CPSC's data shows clearly that lead exposure increases dramatically as turf ages. CPSC ignores the problem that exposure estimates from new turf significantly underestimate real-life exposure.

To date, CEH has tested over 150 turf samples, including dozens of samples sent to the nonprofit by concerned customers. By contrast, CPSC's report shows they tested only 14 samples.