CPSC: artificial turf's lead not a hazard to kids.

Synthetic "turf" athletic fields do not pose a health risk to young children from lead exposure, according to a scientific evaluation by the staff of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Nonetheless, the agency is still asking the industry to remove any lead from future products voluntarily.

A CPSC staff evaluation found that newer synthetic fields had no lead or low levels of lead. However, small amounts of lead were found on the surface of some older fields. The concern was that exposure to lead would occur if the synthetic grass blades on the field broke or became worn and lead was transferred from children's hands to their mouths. However, the results of the CPSC testing showed no case in which the estimated exposure for children playing on the field would be high enough to be harmful.

Even though the report did not identify a danger to young children, the CPSC recommended that voluntary standards be developed to eliminate lead in athletic turf.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services asked the CPSC to investigate these synthetic athletic fields after testing on a small number of fields in the state revealed that some fields with nylon or nylon-blend fibers contained elevated concentrations of lead.

The testing in New Jersey prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a health advisory in June. The CDC's advisory stated that artificial turf made of nylon or nylon/polyethylene blend fibers "contains levels of lead that pose a potential public health concern." But the agency stated that it was awaiting more information from CPSC to help guide its public health recommendations.

The CPSC evaluation is available online at www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia08/os/ turfassessment.pdf.