Astro Turf Report
April 18, 2008
To Our Constituents:
Earlier this week, the State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) indicated that the nylon fibers in three older fields in New Jersey had been found to contain lead. Understandably, this has caused quite a stir within the synthetic turf industry. As General Sports Venue (GSV) is the exclusive licensee of the AstroTurf brand in the United States, we feel that it is important to address the concerns of our customers and other constituencies as it relates to this issue.
First, we want to make clear that all nylon turf fibers in currently produced AstroTurf products (PureGrass® & AstroTurf 12®) are lead free. Furthermore, all polyethylene turf fibers in currently produced AstroTurf products (GameDay Grass® MP, XPe, MT & 3D) are environmentally safe and are below the stringent DIN 18035-7 standard (a standard that governs environmental compatibility) with respect to heavy metals, including lead.
Second, it is important to note that the three older fields identified by the NJDHHS were not sold, manufactured or installed by GSV or our manufacturing partners in Dalton, Textile Management Associates (TMA). However, we have been proactively involved in investigating this matter. What the NJDHSS found in the three older fields in New Jersey was the presence of lead chromate in the fibers. Lead chromate is a chemical compound that has been used widely in the inorganic pigments used to provide color fastness to a wide variety of products, including synthetic turf. What is important to note is that during the manufacturing process, such pigments are encapsulated within the products. This encapsulation process prevents the leaching of the pigments from the finished product, including any inorganic compounds used in the pigments such as lead chromate.
The safety of this encapsulation process has been confirmed by various tests. Three different certified, independent labs using EPA approved testing protocols have performed tests on various nylon fibers containing lead chromate in the pigments, and all of the tests have confirmed that the lead chromate does not leach out of the fibers. In addition, in the case of one of the New Jersey fields identified by the NJDHSS, the City of Newark decided to replace the old field with one of our new AstroTurf PureGrass® fields. During the removal of the old surface, the City of Newark used a pollutant testing agency to monitor the air quality in the surrounding area and through monitoring devices worn by the field workers. These tests did not detect the presence of any airborne lead or lead chromate particulates during the work performed to remove the old field. Furthermore, the State of New Jersey conducted tests on the children who had been exposed to the Newark field and they found that the lead levels in the children who had played on the field were the same or lower than levels found in children from the area who had not been exposed to the field. Therefore, based on the science behind the manufacturing process, which has been confirmed by a variety of different tests, we do not believe there are any health risks associated with fields made with nylon or with pigments containing lead chromate.
Since re-launching the brand in 2006, GSV / AstroTurf USA has made substantial product improvements benefiting consumer health and safety, including state-of-the-art antimicrobial protection, green manufacturing methods and advanced infill alternatives. The AstroTurf brand today is known for scientific and technological leadership in the synthetic turf industry, and is committed to being proactive and responsive to its customers, particularly in areas of health and safety. It is one of the reasons why Archie Manning likes to say, This is not your Father's AstroTurf.
We hope this letter addresses any concerns that our various constituencies may have about this matter. Please feel free to contact us directly if you should have any further questions. We thank you for your support and we look forward to continuing to bring the safest, most innovative and environmentally-friendly synthetic turf products to the market.
Warmest regards,
Michael A. Dennis, Chairman & President
Jon L. Pritchett, CEO
©2006 GeneralSports Venue, LLC. All rights reserved. AstroTurf® is a registered trademark of Textile Management Associates, Inc. AstroTurf® is an exclusively licensed brand of GeneralSports Venue, LLC.
Venue: http://www.generalsportsturf.com/
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