STC offers clarity & context to concerns about New Jersey fields

16 Apr '08

3 min read

The Synthetic Turf Council (STC), representing the U.S. synthetic turf industry, wants to offer some clarity and context to the concerns raised by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services yesterday.

We offer this information as part of our corporate and community responsibility to not only promote health and safety, but also to act as an industry that relies on science, technology, research, engineering, testing and factual data.

These standards have enabled our industry to develop cutting edge products that provide safe, environmentally sound sports and recreation facilities for communities throughout the country, contributing to the conservation of land and natural resources.

Based on the facts, chemical science, and research that is readily available, we believe the synthetic turf fields identified in New Jersey, and similar fields made with nylon fibers, are safe to use and pose no known risk to an individual's health or the environment.

Here are the facts:
The pigment used to color the nylon fiber contains lead chromate, a component used to extend the yarn color lifespan. Lead chromate is a highly insoluble compound with extremely low bioavailability, which is diluted, extruded with resins and microencapsulated within the nylon fiber. In fact, OSHA requires no protective measures when handling the turf fibers.

Extremely low bioavailability means that even if the compound were to be ingested, it is very difficult for the compound to be absorbed within the body. There is no known evidence that this poses any health risk.

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