Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 24, 2008

HEALTH ISSUES ADVISORY REGARDING LEAD IN ARTIFICIAL TURF

Recommendations most important for facilities serving children under six

Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory concerning the potential for artificial turf to contain elevated levels of lead. The RI Department of Health (HEALTH) recommends that all facility managers where artificial turf is used carefully review the CDC advisory and their recommendations. This advisory is of primary importance for facilities that sponsor activities for children less than six years of age.

Young children are much more at risk for lead exposures. Young children have nervous systems that are still in a sensitive stage of development, and, they often put their hands in their mouths, which put them at risk for ingesting dust that may contain high levels of lead. “This finding provides more evidence for both the importance of frequent hand washing and the need to screen all children in Rhode Island for lead exposures,” commented David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of the RI Department of Health. If you are concerned about lead exposures to your young children, check with your medical care provider and make sure your children’s lead screening is up to date.

 This advisory is based on a recent finding in New Jersey where dust from a particular type of artificial turf was found to be high in lead.

HEALTH routinely receives reports about lead hazards from inspections of homes, facilities like day cares, and investigations into the source of lead exposure for a significantly poisoned child. There is no record of any testing of artificial turf in Rhode Island. HEALTH’s website lists licensed lead inspectors capable of testing the lead content of dust.

CDC’s 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.

General Lead Poisoning Prevention Recommendations

Especially in houses where children are present, parents, day care providers and other child care providers should follow lead safety practices regardless of the type of playing surface. These practices can help prevent children from being exposed to the many sources of lead in the environment.

1. Wash children's hands frequently and always before they eat.
2. Do not eat food or use pacifiers that have been dropped on the floor or outside.
3. Remove shoes when entering the house or use door mats.
4. Have your house inspected for lead if it was built before 1978.
5. Use lead-safe work practices when doing work that disturbs lead-painted surfaces.

Additional Information

For additional information about testing, dust suppression measures, and other topics related to NJDHSS's work to address lead in artificial turf visit NJDHSS's artificial turf website at http://www.state.nj.us/health/artificialturf/index.shtml .

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates consumer products, including artificial turf. Additional information about CPSC and artificial turf can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov.