AstroTurf® & an Elite Panel of Experts Present Data Supporting the Safety of Synthetic Sports Turf
AstroTurf®, in collaboration with a panel of highly respected toxicologists, epidemiologists and chemical fiber engineers from across the country, presented scientific data and test results that confirm the safety of synthetic sports turf. At a press conference held at the Science, Industry & Business Library in Manhattan, AstroTurf® asserted that synthetic turf sports fields, including the nylon version recently brought into question in New Jersey, present no health risk to athletes or to our children.
The presentation, comprised of seven separate scientific conclusions, countered recent concerns raised by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services related to lead chromate, a compound in the pigment particles used in some synthetic turf systems. The expert panel included polymer and fiber engineering specialist Dr. Davis Lee, Ph.D., of InnovaNet Consulting; clinical and forensic toxicologist Dr. David Black, Ph.D., of Aegis Sciences Corporation, food and environmental toxicologist Dr. James R. Coughlin, Ph.D. of Coughlin & Associates and, via telephone, Dr. C. Ralph Buncher, Sc.D., Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Each concurred with the summation that synthetic turf sports fields present no health risk.
The seven conclusions, as follows, were supported by research and testing data plus additional context provided by the panel:
- CDC Lead Prevention Program identifies no risk from synthetic turf
- Lead does not leach from synthetic turf
- Bioavailability of lead from pigment is extremely low
- Dust at Ironbound Stadium posed no inhalation hazard for lead
- Children with regular exposure to the Ironbound field tested normal for lead
- Factory worker exposed to nylon turf and particles for 30 years tested normal for lead
- Amount of ingested turf required to pose a threat is absurdly unrealistic
Despite the fact that the present AstroTurf® company did not manufacture nor install the fields in New Jersey that were recently closed after warnings about their safety were issued in March by the NJDHSS, AstroTurf® was compelled to set the record straight about the safety of synthetic turf as well as the AstroTurf® brand.
AstroTurf® assembled the most qualified scientific and technical experts in the country to produce and analyze the best available data, and everything they told us confirmed our position that synthetic turf is extremely safe.
The AstroTurf® brand represents a broad line of advanced, innovative turf products that include nylon, polyethylene and hybrid products, as well as conversion and transition systems, that not only provide outstanding performance and durability, but the ultimate in user safety, including state-of-the art antimicrobial protection.