FEATURE 2:
LEADING HEALTH EXPERT SPEAKS ON TURF SAFETY: Over the last year, the safety of the materials used in artificial turf have come under scrutiny. Certain reports surrounding high levels of lead in artificial turf have been misleading. From the extensive amount of research that has been done on the components of artificial turf, it is clear that these new generation turf systems are safe for our children, safe for adults, and safe for the environment. The science is there to prove it.
On July 29, 2008 USA Today published an article entitled “Report gives vindication to turf maker, surface declared safe,” written by Michael McCarthy. This article documents an evaluation by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), documenting how synthetic athletic fields are safe for kids and adults to play on. It reported that thousands of high schools, colleges, sports teams and towns have turned to the latest generation of artificial turf in recent years as a more durable, cost-effective alternative to natural grass.
In the CPSC study, staff obtained samples of turf, visited in-service synthetic turf fields, and used portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing equipment to detect the presence of lead in the product, as well as a portable field wiping apparatus to measure the exposure potential to the lead.
The staff considered that exposure to the lead present in some synthetic turf products could occur if some of the lead gets on children’s hands, perhaps when synthetic grass blades break or become worn and release small particles of lead-containing material. The lead on the children’s hands may then get transferred from their hands to their mouths through normal hand-to-mouth activity during or after playing on the field.
The results of this study showed no case in which the estimated exposure for children playing on the field would exceed a safe level. It should also be noted that at least one manufacturer, FieldTurf USA, now makes all their turf products lead free, in response to consumer demand.
There is no scientific or medical evidence that synthetic turf poses a human health or environmental risk from lead (or from any other material used in our products). While there were over 40,000 cases of elevated lead blood levels reported in children in 2006, there was not one case caused by synthetic turf and there has not been one single case reported since synthetic turf was introduced in the US marketplace over 40 years ago.
Advantages of Synthetic Turf:1) All-weather use.
2) Lower maintenance cost than grass.
3) Less serious injuries than grass.
4) Less likely to provoke asthma or allergy attacks.
5) Eliminates pesticides and herbicides
6) Eliminates the necessity to water the field.
7) Much improved drainage compared to natural grass.
8) Positive environmental effect
9) Aesthetically superior
In one five year study, comparing FieldTurf to natural grass, higher incidents of ligament injuries, longer-term injuries, and more head and neural trauma were reported on natural grass. Less serious noncontact injuries, skin injuries, and musculoskeletal trauma were reported on FieldTurf.
When comparing injuries on FieldTurf vs. Natural Grass, the following key statistics were derived from the 5-year data set.
• 55% Fewer Neural Injuries
• 47% Fewer Cranial / Cervical Injuries
• 45% Less Time Lost to Injury
• 38% Fewer 3rd Degree Injuries
• 35% Less Time Lost to InjuryApproximately 10%-15% of the United States population suffers from asthma, especially in childhood, a number that has been increasing. A substantial number above that suffer from serious allergies. Fertilizers and pesticides are well-known to provoke asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. Fatal asthma attacks have been increasing in the United States over the last 10 years. Synthetic turf, being biologically inert, has no ability to provoke asthma or allergic attacks. In addition, exercise-induced asthma is a common disease in childhood. One possible explanation for this is exposure to fertilizers and pesticides used on grass fields.
As a practicing pulmonologist (lung specialist), I have cared many athletes with exercise-induced asthma provoked by outdoor sports. In all cases, this was related to participation in sports played on grass fields, rather than synthetic fields.
There have also been news articles about the potential health risks of crumb rubber that is used in these new generation turf fields. Countries all over the world have commissioned and executed hundreds of extensive studies to identify any potential dangers of crumb rubber (SBR). All of the credible studies show that there is no danger or health risk involved with the rubber used in turf fields.
These studies originated in countries where environmental issues are taken far more seriously than they have been here at home. When the potential dangers were first presented, some countries even outlawed the use of SBR rubber in artificial grass fields. Every country that originally restricted or outlawed the use of SBR has reversed its position since reviewing the data and results of the comprehensive studies they instituted.
Recycled tire rubber has been used for decades in a variety of products used by consumers every day. The crumb rubber used for artificial turf has been used in running tracks, sports fields, parks and playgrounds and has undergone countless health and safety studies prior to its use and installation.
Recommendations to ensure that synthetic turf remains a viable option:1) Include maintenance and cost-benefit analyses in requests for capital funding for athletic fields so that educated funding decisions are made.
2) Take advantage of recent turf installations—engage in formal studies that examine the benefits and versatility of synthetic turf.
3) Include safety information on signage at synthetic turf fields.
4) Maintain the turf in good condition.
5) Promote and educate others on the many environmental benefits of synthetic turf
Based on the current scientific evidence, it is clear that newer synthetic turfs represent a substantial safety, maintenance, and environmental advantage over natural grass. By avoiding the use of fertilizers and pesticides, synthetic turf eliminates the many dangers associated with these toxins, such as asthma and allergy attacks. By obviating the need for watering and maintenance, synthetic fields can reduce the cost to the purchaser, making more fields available for public and private use. In addition, year round sustainability extends the seasons for use, beyond that of natural grass. In fact, all of the materials found in FieldTurf can be found in common household items like plastic, rubber, and sand. In all published studies, these materials are completely safe.
The subject of MRSA in artificial turf fields has no basis in fact or in science. It appears to have been a selection of media reports created as part of some scare tactic marketing scheme by a few unscrupulous vendors of turf and anti-microbial disinfectants.
The facts tell a very different story than the one presented here, for example:
No MRSA bacteria have been found in artificial turf. Tests on an eight year old field used daily by hundreds of athletes revealed not a single sample. To evaluate the potential of an artificial grass field retaining bacteria, testing of artificial turf fields, that contained rubber pellets, involved the placement of living organisms into the turf. All of these organisms passed right thru the turf system and each was recovered in the drainage system of the field. The real culprit of MRSA has been identified in all test results as poor hygiene, dirty locker rooms, sharing of towels, the improper use of equipment, failing to wash or shower before using whirlpools and hot tubs along with an overuse of antibiotics in professional sports.
For these many reasons, as a physician and athlete, I strongly recommend the use of newer synthetic turfs, such as FieldTurf, for athletic use. Besides the maintenance and long-term cost advantages, there are significant health advantages to the athletes using them and environmental advantages for the communities that these fields are a part of. Communities that have these fields are giving their athletes an edge over those that have to deal with field “downtime” and chemical treatments.
Author: Dr. Ken Steier, MPH, MHA, MGH
Patient Safety Officer
Nassau University Medical Center
Dr. Ken Steier is also a consultant to the FDA
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