New Jersey Test Results Confirm That AstroTurf(R) Fields Are Safe

Test results issued yesterday by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed that the synthetic turf fields tested in New Jersey are safe for children and athletes. The findings support that a child of 50 pounds would have to ingest nearly 100 pounds of synthetic turf to realize the minimum lead threshold allowed for toys set by the U.S. government.

"We are delighted that the NJDHSS findings confirm our position that these fields, and all nylon systems like them, are extremely safe," said Jon Pritchett, CEO of GSV. "All of us at GSV and AstroTurf® are pleased to share the good news with everyone in New Jersey who has been impacted by this issue."

At a recent press conference, forensic toxicologist Dr. David Black established that a 50-pound child would have to ingest 23 pounds of synthetic turf to reach the federal minimum threshold of elevated blood lead, assuming a bioavailability level of 50 percent. The NJDHSS testing cites bioavailability between 2.5 and 11 percent, meaning the amount a child would have to eat is actually closer to 100 pounds of synthetic turf required to have elevated blood lead.

"This is better than we expected," said Lou Ziebold, General Manager of AstroTurf®. "The NJDHSS testing not only supports our position that AstroTurf® poses no realistic health hazard, but concludes that the level of bioavailability is nearly five times lower than we conservatively estimated."

These findings are consistent with those presented at the press conference held in New York on May 5. That presentation, titled "Synthetic Turf: The Science Behind the Safety," is available in its entirety at www.astroturfusa.com . The expert panel included polymer and fiber engineering specialist Dr. Davis Lee, Ph.D., of InnovaNet Consulting; clinical and forensic toxicologist Dr. Black of Aegis Sciences Corporation; and food and environmental toxicologist Dr. James R. Coughlin, Ph.D. of Coughlin & Associates. Each concurred that AstroTurf® products present no health risk.

"The most qualified scientific and technical experts in the country analyzed the available data," said Pritchett. "Everything they told us, and now the findings of the NJDHSS, confirms what we have confidently stated all along -- that AstroTurf® is extremely safe."

About AstroTurf®

AstroTurf® offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies, leveraging the industry's only vertically integrated manufacturing system. The relaunch of AstroTurf®, including the enlistment of football legend Archie Manning as ambassador for the brand, has positioned it as the leading innovator in the synthetic turf industry, with a growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities selecting AstroTurf®-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority and safety. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com .

About GeneralSports Venue

Based in Michigan and with executive headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., and regional offices in Richmond, Va., San Diego, San Francisco, Boston, Columbus, Portland, Philadelphia, Kansas City and New Jersey, GSV is a certified Minority Business Enterprise that offers a range of integrated services for sports venue owners, operators and developers. GSV's professional services include project development, design, estimating, finance, revenue generation, program management and construction for sports venues. Aided by its sports turf division, GSV has been among the fastest-growing companies in the sports construction industry. To learn more, visit www.generalsportsvenue.com .

CONTACTS: Charles Upchurch (919) 277-1147 Email Contact