A report in the New York Times has described how some New York and New Jersey residents fear that lead, which is an ingredient in the green pigments used to colour some artificial grasses, may cause adverse health effects in children who play on these synthetic surfaces.

Analysis of samples from different playing fields found that turf made from polyethylene had low or undetectable levels of lead, while some nylon grasses had lead levels 10 times higher than acceptable state levels. Although the lead is initially embedded in the turf fibres, as these fibres degrade with age and sun exposure, they form a dust containing lead.

There are concerns that children who touch this dust can transfer it from their hands to their mouths. In response to these concerns, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission is now investigating lead in artificial turf.

Lead is a toxic heavy metal which has been associated with learning and behavioural disorders, insomnia and nightmares in children. In adults, it may be associated with headache, fatigue, muscle pains, anaemia, digestive and nervous system problems.

Reference

DePalma, A.   2008  Worry on athletic turf prompts some digging    The New York Times. Online, available at : http://www.nytimes.com   (Viewed on 28.4.08)