Posts filed under 'General'
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Validates Safety of Lead Chromate in Synthetic Turf and STC Announces Voluntary Reduction Standards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that synthetic turf fields are okay to install and play on for children and people of all ages. The CPSC evaluation of old and newer synthetic turf fields concludes that “young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields.”
Continue Reading August 1st, 2008
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff today released its evaluation of various synthetic athletic fields. The evaluation concludes that young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields.
Continue Reading July 30th, 2008
Sportexe Construction Services, Inc., one of the nation’s largest synthetic turf companies, was recently awarded a contract to install two full-sized practice fields for The New York Jets of the National Football League.
Both of the fields will be installed at the Jets’ Florham Park, NJ training facility. Approximately 77,000 square feet of Sportexe Momentum will be installed at the indoor practice facility, and approximately 103,000 square feet of Sportexe Momentum will be installed on an outdoor practice field. The fields will feature polyethylene fibers that will be in-filled with a combination of rounded silica sand and SBR rubber
The fields will be installed with tufted-in and inlaid NFL-specified lines, hash marks, inbound markers and numbers. The new Jets logo will be installed on both fields.
“We are very happy with our decision to use Sportexe at our new Atlantic Health Jets Training Center,” said Bill Senn, Senior Vice President, Practice Facility. “Creating the best learning and practice environment is critical to the success of our team and these fields will contribute to making this facility top-notch.”
Sportexe is no newcomer to NFL fields. The Irving, TX based company has installed Sportexe Momentum game fields for the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints. The San Francisco 49’ers and Buffalo Bills practice on Sportexe Momentum synthetic turf as well.
Sportexe President and CEO, Stephen P. Noe, is elated by the Jets’ decision. “We are very excited to be part of the partnership developing this world class practice facility for the New York Jets,” he said. “I am very pleased with the endorsements from the Jets regarding not only the performance of our products, but the confidence that they have shown in our organization to provide them with an artificial turf surface.”
ALCO Sports Construction, Inc. of Lawrenceville, NJ is the general contractor for the project, and will be providing the sub base construction, drainage, etc. Frank Taylor, Executive Vice President of ALCO, is equally excited about the project. “We are extremely proud to be working on the New York Jets Facility,” he said.
Continue Reading June 11th, 2008
To all of our existing and future customers,
As many of you may be aware, there has been a great deal of information in the press lately regarding the health and safety of artificial turf playing surfaces. This flurry of information results from the fact that New Jersey health officials found what they consider to be high lead levels in two fields that were located near a remediation site. We understand these two fields were nylon fields installed in the late 1990’s. Other newer polyethylene fields tested in the area were not found to contain high levels of lead. The New Jersey health officials are quoted in the initial articles as saying they believed the lead levels in the old nylon fields represented a “very low health risk”, but they suggested further study was warranted. As a result of this initial study, the New Jersey health official contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission to suggest they investigate this matter further.
Not surprisingly this situation has created a tremendous amount of concern among parents, school officials and others, (including Sportexe), regarding artificial turf fields. As opposed to putting out a quick response to this issue we have chosen to gather the facts and work with our industry association to develop a clear and thorough response to these concerns. Sportexe has always been diligent regarding product safety and integrity and will continue to apply the same commitment to reaffirm the safety of our turf products. One thing I have found very refreshing so far is that the individuals who have contacted us regarding this matter are very interested in “the facts not just the buzz”. With that in mind, the following are the facts, as we know them, regarding this situation.
Background on the New Jersey Situation
In New Jersey, the concern started with an old synthetic nylon turf field in Newark located in an industrial section known as Ironbound. The field is bordered on three sides by an abandoned industrial complex of the former Tidewater Bailing Company, a facility that reclaimed and recycled various types of scrap metals. The EPA found the Tidewater property was contaminated with heavy metals. The contamination also was found in an adjacent natural grass field, after which the EPA tested the synthetic field and detected levels of lead chromate. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services then checked 12 more fields, 10 of which were fine. When they tested fibers from two of the fields, in Ewing and Hoboken, they found the fibers had lead chromate levels in the 3400 to 4100 mg/kg range.
The state then compared these findings to the soil threshold for lead cleanup and that’s where the confusion initially began. Since the cleanup standard is 400 mg/kg, they concluded the fibers containing lead chromate were 10 times that threshold, sounding the cause for alarm. However, New Jersey’s test doesn’t compare apples to apples. The soil threshold for lead does not apply to lead chromate in synthetic turf, which is encapsulated in plastic to prevent it from being absorbed by the body, or migrating into the environment.
Science substantiates these findings. Two independent labs using EPA-approved protocol tested the ability of lead chromate to be released from turf fibers into the air or the environment. Both tests concluded that the lead chromate was contained within its plastic shell. Concerning the question whether lead chromate in synthetic turf presents a risk to humans who play on it, Dr. David Black, a toxicologist at Aegis Sciences Corporation, and Dr. Davis Lee, a chemist from the Georgia Institute of Technology, issued this joint statement on April 21, 2008 “There is no scientific evidence of a health risk for children or adults based on recent test results and current knowledge of the chemical structure of aged synthetic turf products.” Even the New Jersey DHSS report itself acknowledges, “Available evidence suggests that there are no acute health risks due to use of artificial turf fields, and risks due to chronic and repeated exposure are unlikely.”
The pigment used to color the nylon fiber in these older fields in New Jersey 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.
Specific Sportexe Situation
The following information is intended to answer questions about the products that you have purchased or may be considering purchasing from Sportexe.
• Sportexe provides a variety of polyethylene based products; specifically our PowerBlade®, BladeMaster®, Momentum®, OmniGrass® and OmegaTurf® products. The vast majority of the yarns in these products have been produced with non-heavy metal based products, for example the various green and white yarns. There are a few colors that were produced using low levels of lead chromate based pigments. Please contact a Sportexe representative if you have questions about the exact colors that are on your field. Again, the science indicates that no health issue exists, however we intend to be open with our disclosure.
• Going forward Sportexe will not be offering these heavy metal based color choices. We intend to substitute alternative colors based on non-heavy metal based pigments. Although we don’t believe the current products represent a health issue, we believe that it is a prudent move from a public relations concern to remove these products from our product offerings so all of us associated with these products can present them as non heavy metal based system.
• Sportexe provides a variety of nylon based products; specifically our Dieter Turf®, Hockey Turf Elite®, Hockey Turf Club®, Victory Turf® and Mega Putt® products. Again, some of the product colors were produced using trace amounts of lead based pigments that are completely encapsulated in the polymer. The science, as highlighted above indicates that this does not represent an issue. However, please contact a Sportexe representative if you require specific information about your particular field.
• At the current time we are in discussions with our nylon yarn suppliers to evaluate alternative products, for the yarns that contain trace elements of lead that can be used in these applications. Where technically and economically feasible we intend to move away from the lead based pigments for the same reasons as highlighted above. We will keep you informed as we develop additional information on this subject.
In summary, all of the evidence indicates that the existing products as produced in the past are very safe for use. Going forward we need to be concerned with and address both the public perception and the scientific facts concerning the safety of our turf products. Due to this we will discontinue the use of lead based pigments within our polyethylene product line and we are investigating the potential to do that with our nylon supplier. Although we do not see a health risk in the current products we believe that this is the best decision for all of our constituents over the long run.
In addition to this letter, we have posted a Synthetic Turf Council press release regarding a scientific evaluation of these products on our web site. We will continue to provide information to our stakeholders as it becomes available. We appreciate the trust you have placed in Sportexe in the past and it is our goal to maintain that trust by not only providing you with the best products but also the most factual and straight-forward discussion of issues and concerns that we possibly can. Please do not hesitate to contact me or anyone else in the Sportexe organization if you have further questions.
Sincerely,
Stephen P. Noe
President and CEO
Sportexe Construction Services, Inc.
Share This
April 22nd, 2008
EXPERTS AGREE THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF HEALTH RISKS IN NEW JERSEY SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: April 21, 2008 — Committed to the safety and well-being of the public, the Synthetic Turf Council turned to scientists to evaluate the recent concerns of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) that resulted in their closing of three playing fields over suspected high lead levels.
Dr. David Black (Ph.D. Forensic Toxicology) and Dr. Davis Lee (Ph.D. Synthetic Organic Chemistry) assert that there is no scientific evidence of health risks related to the three older synthetic turf fields in New Jersey, particularly the Ironbound B-Field on St. Charles Ave. in Newark. In addition, the NJDHSS concedes in their report that “available evidence suggests that there are no acute health risks due to use of artificial turf fields, and risks due to chronic and repeated exposure are unlikely.”
“We care very much about the community,” said Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council. “People deserve to know the science behind the situation, so our association turned to recognized industry experts to assess the issues.”
Joint Statement from Dr. Black and Dr. Lee:
“There is no scientific evidence of a health risk for children or adults based on recent test results and current knowledge of the chemical structure of aged synthetic turf products.
Concerns over potential harm related to the three older fields in use in New Jersey have not addressed fundamental questions regarding potential toxicity including route of exposure, dose of any potential chemicals, and how such chemicals may be introduced into the body by being in contact with synthetic turf products (referred to as bioavailability).
Reports of health concerns have not been supported by any laboratory analysis on the products or humans that indicate any risk of harm due to potential exposure to chemicals.
Studies that have been conducted and made available for our review have not documented that aged synthetic turf products may be a source of lead exposure to anyone in contact with the product.”
Concerning Absorption of Lead Chromate by the Body (Bioavailability):
Trace amounts of lead exist in everyday products. The key issue is ensuring that quantities of lead that might be harmful to health cannot be absorbed into the body. Used to extend the yarn color lifespan in some synthetic turf products, lead chromate is encapsulated in plastic to prevent any health risks.
The Synthetic Turf Council continues to gather additional scientific and medical data about the issue, sharing that information with the public in press releases and postings on its website, www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.
About Dr. David Black:
Dr. Black, founder and CEO of Aegis Sciences Corporation, earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola College in Baltimore and doctorate degree in Legal Medicine (Forensic Toxicology) from the University of Maryland at Baltimore (1982). Dr. Black is a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (DABFT), Diplomat of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (DABCC), and is a Certified Professional Chemist by the American Institute of Chemists (CPC/AIC). Dr. Black was Toxicology Department Head and Director of Toxicology for Maryland Medical Laboratory, Inc. from 1982-1986. He joined Vanderbilt University in 1986 as Assistant Professor with appointments on Pathology and Pharmacology. In 1990 Dr. Black founded Aegis Sciences Corporation where he serves as Chairman, President and Laboratory Director.
About Dr. Davis Lee:
Dr. Lee, a principal and senior consultant with InnovaNet, LLC, is currently Executive in Residence at the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Polymer, Textile, and Fiber Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Emory University and spent 20 years with E.I. DuPont DeNemours and Co., Inc., as a research and development specialist in fiber, plastics and chemical technologies.
About the Synthetic Turf Council:
Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to serve as an objective resource assisting buyers and end users with the selection, use, and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, and landscape applications. The organization actively collects reputable studies and research, as well as official statements by governmental agencies and sports organizations, which address the impact of synthetic turf sports fields. STC members produce and install most of the synthetic turf sports fields in North America. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, installation contractors and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.
Media Contacts:
Shira Miller
678-392-1785
Charles Upchurch
919-277-1147
# # #
Share This
April 21st, 2008
Sportexe Construction Services, Inc. and ACT Global Sports announced the formation of a partnership for synthetic turf production. Each company will be contributing equipment and technology to the partnership. Capital improvements are also being made to house these new manufacturing operations within the existing Sportexe operations center. Sportexe’s equipment contributions are being financed through its recently announced banking relationship with Wells Fargo.
Continue Reading March 11th, 2008
Sportexe Construction Services of Irving, TX recently acquired a $10 million line of credit from Wells Fargo Business Credit, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The transaction was negotiated through Insight Equity of Dallas, TX, owners of Sportexe beginning February 2007.
Continue Reading February 12th, 2008
When the Louisiana State University Bayou Tigers recently defeated Ohio State University in New Orleans’ legendary Superdome, all of the action took place on a Sportexe® synthetic turf system.
Continue Reading January 11th, 2008
Following its acquisition in the first quarter of 2007 by private investment firm Insight Equity, Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry for the past 18 years, has undergone an extensive review of its operations with a view to enhancing cost effectiveness and functional efficiency.
Continue Reading October 1st, 2007
ROUND ROCK, Texas. September 21, 2007—The Harpeth Hall School will celebrate its first home soccer game on its new state-of-the-art Sportexe synthetic turf playing field on Wednesday, September 26 in the Dugan Davis Track and Soccer Complex. A special ceremony will be held at 6:45 p.m. on the field, just before the 7 p.m. kickoff.
With the selection of Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, Harpeth Hall is the state’s first girls school to install a synthetic playing surface. Additionally, it is the first school – girls, boys or coed – in Tennessee to install a synthetic field specifically for soccer and lacrosse, according to Ronnie Carter, executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.
Sportexe synthetic turf systems are specifically designed for the unique criteria of each individual sport through the Sportexe Center for Research and Development.
“Athletics, like academics, arts, community service and leadership opportunities, is an integral part of creating a well-rounded student,” said Ann Teaff, Head of School. “At Harpeth Hall, we are committed to providing the very best in facilities for our student-athletes.”
The new 94,000-square foot Sportexe field was provided in memory of long-time Harpeth Hall teacher and coach, Dugan Davis, by her son Joe C. Davis, a loyal school supporter and sports enthusiast. Dugan Davis was the school’s first soccer coach.
“I am delighted that I could continue to honor my mother,” said Davis. “Harpeth Hall has a long history of providing an absolutely unparalleled athletic program for girls in this region, and I hope this field will provide lots of benefits for the athletes and the School.”
“In discussions about installing a synthetic field for our athletic program and physical education classes, we examined the safety, performance, and durability of this product,” added Ms. Teaff.
Sportexe can also be found underfoot of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA’s Cal-Berkeley, Alabama, Southern Mississippi and Pittsburgh. Sportexe is the official turf provider for the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, Major Indoor Soccer League and the National Lacrosse League.
“This field underscores the fact that the Bears are serious about sports,” said varsity soccer coach Tiffany Watson. “And we are committed to supporting championship levels of competition, not just in Middle Tennessee, but throughout the state and even the country.”
Share This
September 21st, 2007
Previous Posts