The controversy related to the hazards of artificial turf may have temporarily blown over in Long Island, with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s ruling that there was no danger of lead exposure to children using such turf, but questions related to safety still linger.
There are other issues that continue to pop up, including the possibility of risk arising out of exposure to not just lead but a range of other chemicals, such as benzene, cadmium, and zinc that are used not on the turf itself but from the crumbs, made out of tires, for the purpose of giving a cushioning effect.
The main worry being voiced by citizens and environmentalists is that players playing on such fields could inhale the toxic vapors emitted when the rubber heats up, or when players come into contact with the rubber or consume it unknowingly.
However, the citizens’ worries may remain just that, with the Commission making it clear it was not going to investigate any of these other issues until such time as there is evidence to indicate there is some substance to them. Julie Vallese, the commission’s spokeswoman, said, “We’re done with the synthetic turf.”
While this currently seems to be the end of the artificial turf controversy, there is scope for it to be raked up again later in the year. That is when the results of two different studies, one conducted by the federal government and another by the state government, are due. Both the studies are aimed at determining the effects of synthetic fields on health.
Coming back to today’s report by the CPSC, the focus of the evaluation was primarily on the effect of lead that was used to set the colors of pigments on the blades of artificial grass. The main area of the study was to look at possible levels of lead accumulation on the hands of children using the turf.
At the end of the assessment, the commission was able to determine zero or low lead levels in new fields. It was also able to determine that the lead levels in old fields were not high enough to be considered a risk to children.
However, as an act of caution, the commission did recommend development of standards voluntarily, something that would help ensure that there was no possibility of using lead in any of the newer products in future.
There have been developments in New York as well, with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation choosing two fields with rubber crumbs for a study. This study was originally first planned in November last year.
Why is there still skepticism?
I don't understand how much longer this will go on. I must say, as a parent of children who constantly use artificial turf as a part of their recreational lifestyle, I am appalled as to how many people are skeptical about the product. My kids use it daily and I have not once heard about someone getting infected/ affected by the materials which make up the turf. And even with this assurance from the CPSC people are still skeptical. Come on, let the kids play!