Blog
Turf Warning
Emily Lynne Ion
Saturday, March 14, 2009
One motivated parent (and Healthy Child Board Member!) is raising awareness and spreading the word in her community about potential harmful exposures from artificial turf.
Since the CDC found high levels of lead in the field dust emitted from artificial turfs in New Jersey last year, we’ve been closely following the study and testing of potential health effects from exposure to crumb rubber and synthetic turf.
From CDC’s testing we know that the 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. Signs of weathering, including fibers that are abraded, faded or broken, should be considered when evaluating the potential for harmful lead exposures from a given field.
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).
Healthy Child Healthy World Board Member Tanya Murphy has been a tireless advocate for reducing children’s exposure to toxics in artificial turf. Her latest campaign has been the creation of artificial turf warning signs, such as the one seen in the image in this blog. It's currently placed at the entrances of a new field at Saugatuck Elementary School in Connecticut. Have a look at the warning sign – is this something your neighborhood school could use as well?
More comments:
Get Answers
View All
Read and Learn
It's the trusted guidebook for the Next Generation of Parenting "...that every single parent needs to read..."
PICK UP A COPY
Now In Paperback!
Archives by Month
What We Read
Posted by Heidi LiebenguthCrone on 03/16/2009 at 07:01 AM
Communities across the US, and around the world, are fighting the installation of synthetic turf in their parks and schools. It’s not just about lead. Artificial turf contains a long list of toxic chemicals, mostly from the recycled tire rubber. It can reach 160 degrees on a warm day. It harbors dangerous bacteria, and causes chemical runoff.