TPI Presents EPA with Concerns about Artificial Turf

Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) has presented the Environmental Protection Agency (Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances) with a document titled ?EUR??,,????'??Serious Questions about the New-Generation Turf that Require Answers,?EUR??,,????'?? developed at the behest of the TPI Board of Directors. The TPI states it is concerned about the health, safety and environmental risks of the new-generation of artificial turf.

The TPI wants the EPA to examine the consequences of human exposure to silica dust and cadmium particles. Artificial turf infill includes silica sand, and ground tire rubber contains cadmium, a heavy metal. TPI believes the EPA should establish maximum exposure levels for these materials. TPI also has concerns for the environmentally safe disposal of large quantities of silica sand and ground rubber.

?EUR??,,????'??What toxic gases would be released into the atmosphere in the event of an artificial turf fire??EUR??,,????'?? TPI asked in a recent press release.

What, the TPI asks, is the environment impact to an area where artificial turf is used to replace natural grass? Natural grass, the TPI points out, ?EUR??,,????'??reduces temperatures, traps and bio-degrades airborne pollutants, filters rainwater and facilitates the recharge of groundwater and aquifers.?EUR??,,????'??

TPI asserts that field sanitation, including removal of human bodily fluids-spittle, blood, sweat, vomit, urine-and animal wastes are problematic, because the antiseptic cleansers generally being used, according to the TPI, do not properly sanitize artificial turf.

The ?EUR??,,????'??Serious Questions about the New-Generation Turf that Require Answers?EUR??,,????'?? document can be found at www.turfgrasssod.org/pressroom.html#New.