EPA to investigate lead threat from artificial turfs

0 Comments | USA TODAY, May, 2008 | by Michael McCarthy and Steve Berkowitz

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has become the latest federal agency to investi-gate the potential threat from lead in artificial turf, spokesman Dale Kemery said Wednesday.

Synthetic turf fields have become increasingly popular at schools, public parks and playgrounds. Five older, nylon fields in Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City and Ewing in New Jersey and Syracuse in New York have been closed recently because of concern over lead levels.

Lead can cause brain damage, even death, in children. The EPA is working closely with other federal and state agencies to assess the possible threat.

"EPA is aware of a number of studies regarding the health concerns posed by synthetic turf. But there is still considerable uncertainty over the possible...