STATE OF CONNECTICUT

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1 EHS Circular Letter # DATE: February 22, 2010 STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATORY SERVICES BRANCH Environmental Health Section Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program TO: FROM: RE: Directors of Health and Chief Sanitarians Daycare Licensing Unit Mark Aschenbach, RS, MS Environmental Analyst 3 Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program Lead in Artificial Turf The Connecticut Department of Public Health, Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program (LPPCP) would like to make you aware of the new Lead in Artificial Turf Fact Sheet and Protocol for Bulk Sampling and Wipe Testing of Artificial Turf. We developed the guidance and sampling protocols for informational purposes because lead in turf products has been identified as a potential source of lead exposure for children (specifically, when the products become deteriorated or weathered). The at-risk population (those most likely to be exposed) to lead in turf would be young children who play on turf surfaces that are deteriorated. As such, if you observe defective turf products at a licensed childcare provider facility, testing of the surface may be warranted. Similarly, if you are investigating an elevated blood lead level case, you should consider artificial turf as another potential source of lead exposure. The attached fact sheet is meant as guidance and a risk communication tool, and not as a requirement for testing of all turf surfaces by local health departments. The sampling protocol explains the steps that should be taken to determine if turf products are a lead hazard. Further information and guidance concerning Lead in Artificial Turf can be found at the DPH website at Technical questions can be directed to the CT DPH Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program at 860/ We look forward to your continued support in preventing childhood lead poisoning. cc: Debra Johnson, Daycare Licensing Unit Suzanne Blancaflor, M.S., Chief, Environmental Health Section Ellen Blaschinski, R.S., M.B.A., Chief, Regulatory Services Branch Phone: (860) , Fax: (860) Telephone Device for the Deaf (860) Capitol Avenue - MS #51-RAD P.O. Box Hartford, CT An Equal Opportunity Employer

2 Fact Sheet December 2009 Connecticut Department of Public Health Environmental Health Section Lead Poisoning Prevention & Control Program Lead in Artificial Turf Children who play on artificial turf surfaces may be exposed to lead dust released from turf fibers. Read this fact sheet to decide if you should test your artificial turf surface. What is lead? Lead is a toxic heavy metal. It s most common use was as an additive in paint made before It is still widely used in many commercial products. Exposure to lead usually occurs through: inhalation and ingestion Exposure to lead can cause mental and physical health problems in children and adults. How can lead affect the body? No amount of lead in the body is safe. Many children do not show signs of lead poisoning. If signs are present, they may include vomiting, upset stomach, irritability and restlessness. Lead can: damage the brain or nervous system interfere with growth cause learning disabilities cause speech, language and behavior problems cause seizures, unconsciousness and even death How are children exposed to lead? Children can be exposed to lead from many different sources. Environmental sources: Lead-based paint Lead dust from homes built before 1978 Lead contaminated soil Lead contaminated water Other sources: Food and food containers (especially imported) Folk remedies (Azarcon, Greta, Ayurvedic) Imported cosmetics (Kohl, Surma) Toys, furniture, jewelry, other household objects Occupational/hobby sources Lead found in manufactured products Page 1 of 2

3 Background on lead in artificial turf In 2007, testing at a recreational artificial turf field in NJ showed that dust from the degraded turf fibers had high levels of lead. Since then, testing done in NJ as well as several other states, found high levels of lead in many varieties of artificial turf products, including products used in children's play areas in daycare settings and products sold for residential and landscaping uses. Lead is added to the coloring of some synthetic turf products to make the turf more vibrant and durable. Some conditions such as age, weathering, exposure to sunlight, and wear and tear may cause the surface of the turf to become worn and small particles of lead can be released. How can children be exposed to lead from artificial turf? Children playing on artificial turf can be exposed when lead dust from worn turf fibers gets on their hands or on toys and then gets into their bodies through hand-to-mouth behavior. Young children are more at risk because they are more likely to put their hands and toys into their mouths. For more information on lead in turf, please call the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program at or visit our website at How do I know if the artificial turf at my child care program has lead in it? The only way for you to know if artificial turf has lead in it is to have it tested. The artificial turf surfaces at your child care program should only be tested by a licensed lead consultant. Please visit our website for a list of licensed lead consultants as well as the testing protocol: What do the results mean? The Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends: Bulk Sampling: If the concentration is less than (<) 300 milligrams per kilogram, no further action is necessary. If the concentration is greater than or equal to (>) 300 milligrams per kilogram, perform surface wipe testing to determine the dust lead loading on the turf surface. Surface wipe testing: If the wipe testing results are greater than or equal to (>) 40 micrograms per square foot and children are likely to have frequent or prolonged contact with the turf (e.g., day care settings), restrict access by children or replace the turf with a product containing less than (<) 300 milligrams per kilogram. Additional resources Connecticut Department of Public Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Consumer Product Safety Commission Page 2 of 2

4 Department of Public Health Lead Poisoning Prevention & Control Program Environmental & Occupational Health Assessment Program Protocol for Bulk Sampling and Wipe Testing for Lead in Artificial Turf 1. Introduction The turf industry adds lead chromate to some artificial turf products to add color (primarily green) and durability to the product. The potential exists for lead exposure resulting from direct contact with artificial turf fibers containing lead. Lead dust may be generated due to the degradation of the turf fibers over time. Artificial turf fibers can be made of nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, or blends. While most products are green, colors other than green are also used. Products also come in a variety of turf fiber lengths (i.e. pile heights). The information outlined below describes the procedure for bulk sampling and wipe testing for lead in artificial turf. It is important that these guidelines are followed when collecting samples of artificial turf for lead analysis. This will assure that results accurately represent the lead contents of the product. Bulk testing provides information about the amount of lead in the artificial turf product while wipe testing provides information about whether the turf fibers have degraded enough to create removable lead dust, which could pose an exposure concern to children using the artificial turf surface. Based on the results of the bulk sample analysis, wipe testing of the artificial turf may also be needed. 2. Instructions for Bulk Sample Collection Sampling Plan A sampling plan should be prepared prior to sample collection. The sampling plan is a written document that describes the purpose of sampling and the protocols followed to collect the environmental samples. Field Kit A field kit should contain all appropriate equipment needed for sampling such as an adequate number of sample containers, masking tape, labels, chain-of-custody forms and seals, field logbook, cutting tool, disposable gloves, ghost wipes, 1.5 ounce glass jars, indelible markers, and pens. Field-based investigations must document the following: Site sketch showing the location of sampling points; Name and address of field contact;

5 Number and volume of sample collected; The name and manufacturer of the turf product (if known); The date of installation of the product (if known). Sample Numbers and Locations It is important that the bulk sample adequately represents the entire area of the turf product. EPA SW 846, Chapter 9 ( is a resource that can be followed when designing a sampling plan. In general, only one bulk sample of turf fibers will need to be analyzed for each contiguous area of artificial turf. The bulk sample should be a composite of multiple grab samples collected from a representative set of locations across the turf area. For most installations of artificial turf at child care programs (daycares), 5 grab samples should be a sufficient number to represent the turf area. Grab samples collected in an X pattern across the turf area are one good way to adequately represent the whole turf area. If the turf installation is larger (such as a school or town athletic field), more than 5 grab samples will probably be needed to adequately represent the entire turf surface. If the turf product is installed in more than one area (for example, separate play areas that are not contiguous), a bulk sample should be collected and analyzed for each separate area of turf product. In addition, if the turf product has more than one color, a bulk sample should be collected from each color. Fibers of different colors should not be mixed together in the same sample. Collecting Turf Fibers Using disposable gloves, at each grab sample location use an exacto knife or other clean cutting tool to slice the fibers at the base of the matting. Combine grab samples to make a composite of fibers to fill a 1.5 ounce clean glass jar. If more than one composite bulk sample is being collected, the cutting tool should be cleaned with a lead-free wipe (such as a Ghost Wipe) between samples. 3. Lab Analysis of Composite Bulk Samples: To ensure the integrity of the sample from collection to data reporting, all standard chain of custody procedures must be followed. Analytical testing for lead will follow the EPA Standard Lead Testing Method for sample preparation; SW B (HOT Block/Acid Digestion) and sample analysis, SW B (ICP-AES). 4. Instructions for Dust Wipe Sample Collection Dust wipe sampling is only required when bulk sample analysis results are > 300 mg/kg (> 0.03%) for a collected composite sample lead by weight, then surface wipe testing should be performed to determine the dust lead loading on the turf surface. If the concentration of the bulk sample is < 300 mg/kg then no further action is necessary. (Please see decision flow chart.)

6 Sampling Plan If it is determined that dust wipe sampling is necessary, then a dust sampling plan should be prepared prior to sample collection. The sampling plan is a written document that describes the objectives and details the individual tasks of a sampling effort and how each task will be performed. Field Kit A field kit should contain all appropriate equipment needed for dust wipe sampling such as an adequate number of sample containers, labels, masking tape, 1 foot ruler, chain-of-custody forms and seals, field logbook, disposable gloves, ghost wipes, indelible markers, and pens. The field logbook and field notes must include the following: Site sketch showing the location of sampling point(s); Name and address of field contact; The name and manufacturer of the turf product (if known); and The date of installation of the product (if known). Sample Number and Locations The number and locations of dust wipe samples depends on the amount of deteriorated area identified from the inspectors visual observations. One (1) dust wipe sample over one (1) square foot area should be taken for each worn area identified. If there are no worn areas, a minimum of one (1) dust wipe sample should be taken at a location (based on the inspector s professional judgement) that is likely to receive a lot of wear and tear (for example, beneath a swing set, slide, or climbing structure). To determine the amount of lead dust on artificial turf surfaces, it is recommended that standard dust wipe collection protocol be utilized as outlined in the HUD Chapter 7 guidelines ( Results of lead dust concentrations will be reported in micrograms per square foot (mcg/ft2). Sampling Procedure Initial placement of wipe: Place the wipe at one corner of the surface to be wiped with wipe fully opened and flat on the surface. First wipe pass (side-to-side): With fingers together, grasp the wipe between the thumb and the palm. Press down firmly, but not excessively with both the palm and fingers (do not use the heel of the hand). Do not touch the surface with the thumb. If the wipe area is a square, proceed to wipe side-to-side with as many "S"-like motions as are necessary to completely wipe the area. Second wipe pass (top-to-bottom): Fold the wipe in half with the contaminated side facing inward. (The wipe can be straightened out by laying it on the wipe area, contaminated side up, and folding it over.) Once folded, place in the top corner of the

7 wipe area and press down firmly with the palm and fingers. Repeat wiping the area with "S"-like motions, but on the second pass, move in a top-to-bottom direction. Wipe the entire area. 5. Interpretation of Findings and Recommendations If dust wipe testing results are greater than or equal to 40 micrograms per square foot and young children are likely to have direct exposure or contact with the turf (e.g. day care settings), the DPH recommends that access by children be restricted and the turf be replaced with a product containing less than 300 milligrams per kilogram. Further information and guidance concerning Lead in Artificial Turf can be found at the DPH website at 6. Reporting Data All bulk sample analyses and dust wipe test results shall be reported to the local Director of Health, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, and the owner of the facility within 30 days following receipt of the testing results.

8 Decision Tree: Lead in Artificial Turf Sampling Child Play Area Bulk Sample Bulk > 300 mcg/kg Bulk < 300 mcg/kg Dust Wipe Dust Wipe Dust Wipe > 40 mcg/ft 2 < 40 mcg/ft 2 Consider removal and replacement STOP If further deterioration occurs, consider re-evaluation STOP