Apr 29, 2008 8:59 pm US/Eastern
Dangerous Lead In Artificial Turf Raises Concerns
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Health officials are looking into the levels of lead in artificial turf, which is often found on playing fields at schools.
WBZ
Massachusetts public health officials are looking into whether artificial turf fields have dangerous levels of lead in them.
The alert comes after officials shut down fields in New York and New Jersey because they tested positive for lead.
"We will look closely at this, at how it affects populations, particularly with young children," said Suzanne Condon, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Condon said lead has been found only in fields made out of nylon. Other synthetic materials apparently do not have the same problems.
"It would have to reach the level where you might inhale it, so that's the kind of exposure we're talking about. It's not very likely," said Condon.
At Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston administrators have called in an environmental crew to test an artificial turf field on campus. Officials say, so far, no field in Massachusetts has been found to have high levels of lead, but they've only just begun to look into the matter.
A spokesperson with the Consumer Product Safety Commission told WBZ the agency is investigating, and hoping for information before the summer sports season gets under way.
These lead worries come just as local artificial turf fields are buzzing with soccer, baseball, softball, and lacrosse.
"Kids play with it, you know, they pick it up. They'll see the blades come up," says Holly O'Brien, a South Boston mother of three. "It's on their clothing, they roll around in it. It's concerning."
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