PRODUCT LIABILITY: Two Companies Agree to Reduce Lead Content in Turfs

July 16, 2010

Oakland – Two artificial turf companies have agreed to eliminate nearly all lead in products used on playing fields at schools and parks, the state government has announced.

State Attorney General Jerry Brown said this was made possible after turf supplier Beaulieu LLC and manufacturer FieldTurf USA have signed a settlement with the state government and agreed to reduce lead to safe amounts.

The settlement arose from a case filed in 2008 after Center for Environmental tests had found lead levels that were 10 times higher than the amount allowed under state and federal standards for children’s products.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention had earlier warned that old turf can release lead in dust which can be inhaled or ingested by children and can affect the nervous system that could result in learning and behavioral disorders.

Under the settlement, the companies have agreed to pay for the tests at daycare center, schools and playgrounds. They also agreed to pay nearly $500,000 to help fund studies and reimburse state expenses.