How has your company addressed the recent health concerns involving synthetic turf?
A-Turf: As a member of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC), we are committed to providing safe, environmentally friendly surfaces. The STC is a valuable resource, providing reliable information and straightforward answers. The most recent Consumer Product Safety Commission report, which found synthetic turf safe for children, goes a long way in alleviating concerns.

FieldTurf Tarkett: As a worldwide leader in artificial turf, FieldTurf Tarkett has ensured that information is readily available. We have produced DVDs and published many detailed reports and booklets—some containing more than 1,000 pages of studies—with information from recognized experts around the world. We continue to conduct educational seminars and meet regularly with government bodies, officials, customers, and their constituents.

GeneralSports Venue: On May 8th in New York City, our company, the exclusive U.S. licensee of AstroTurf branded products, together with a panel of highly respected toxicologists, epidemiologists, and chemical fiber engineers from across the country, held a press conference to present scientific data and test results that confirmed the safety of synthetic sports turf. The press conference presentation, The Science Behind the Safety, is available at our Web site.

Mondo: In response to concerns associated with the use of crumb rubber from recycled waste tires, Mondo, a manufacturer of high-performance athletic surfaces, researched and developed Ecofill Star, a polyolefin-based resilient granule that does not contain any heavy metals or PAH (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons), nor does it contaminate natural resources or cause adverse health effects.

Polytan-USA: Not only presently, but for decades, Polytan has actively pursued continuous improvement in the performance of sports surfaces. As part of this work, Polytan has contributed to the work of the DIN (German Industrial Norm) committees in the establishment of DIN 18053/7-Sports Grounds part 7: Synthetic Turf Areas Determination of Environmental Compatibility. Polytan's participation in the preparation of this standard is part of our commitment to the ongoing goals of protecting both athletes and the environment. For further information, please refer to the environment section of our Web site.

TigerTurf: Chosen by The College of New Jersey to replace its potentially hazardous system, TigerTurf actively tests each turf product, independently and internally, prior to release to ensure that everything is compliant with existing safety and quality standards.

What measures does your company take during manufacturing to ensure that athlete health is not compromised?
A-Turf: Safety is at the forefront of every field we build. A-Turf purchases its fibers only from the most responsible fiber producers in the world. As fellow members of the STC, the fiber producers are committed to building quality and safety into every synthetic turf field.

FieldTurf Tarkett: We have been leading the way in "green" manufacturing for more than 75 years, utilizing only those materials proven to be safe to human health and the environment. Strict quality control ensures the safety of all those who use our products. Qualitycontrol ensures the safety of all those who use our products. From manufacturing to installation to the end-of-life recycling processes, stringent testing ensures that FieldTurf Tarkett products conform to the highest health and safety standards throughout their life cycle.

GeneralSports Venue: AstroTurf has always manufactured synthetic sports turf with the safety and health of users and athletes as the primary concern. The recent scientific studies confirm that the products are safe and pose no health risk. AstroTurf has also been an industry leader in antimicrobial protection for synthetic turf by making Turf Aide, powered by the Aegis MicrobeShield system, standard on all fields.

Mondo: Our proprietary infill, Ecofill Star, is manufactured in a factory-controlled environment with a combination of select raw components that are guaranteed to be free of potentially harmful substances. In addition, our synthetic turf fiber has also been independently tested for lead, an issue that has been at the forefront of many concerns with respect to artificial turf fields.

Polytan-USA: Since Polytan is a very vertically integrated producer and installer, all production parameters are rigidly controlled in-house and out-of-house. Polytan closely cooperates for all questions of toxicology, environmental compatibility, and protection of the athletes with recognized experts and officially accredited laboratories and testing houses. Before being introduced to the market, all newly developed Polytan products have to pass a technical and environmental approval process to ensure that the user's health is not compromised.

TigerTurf: As a synthetic turf manufacturer for customers in more than 85 countries, we are accustomed to meeting stringent safety and quality guidelines for the protection of people and the environment. We rely on unparalleled research and development resources to test and refine each product, and require the same from our select group of reputable suppliers. These partners, like TigerTurf, must provide independent test results demonstrating compliance with all safety standards.

How can schools evaluate their synthetic turf surfaces for potentially harmful substances?
FieldTurf Tarkett: Information available from FieldTurf Tarkett's Web sites and from independent resources describe testing and evaluation procedures. Schools should require their suppliers to provide MSDS sheets and other product information. The polyethylene fiber and clean cryogenic SBR rubber used in FieldTurf are found in most household items, plastic products, children's toys, sanitary products, and surgical products, as well as in the foods we eat. The silica sand used in FieldTurf is found in sand boxes and beaches across America.

GeneralSports Venue: Based on the most recent testing and the opinions of leading scientists and testing bodies, the likelihood of poisoning or any potential harm associated with of leading scientists and testing bodies, the likelihood of poisoning or any potential harm associated with the material composition of synthetic turf is extremely low. If a school is concerned about the safety of its synthetic turf field, it should contact the manufacturer or sales representative for further information.

Mondo: Education plays a critical role. Schools should perform due diligence in addition to using only reputable manufacturers that are willing to provide third-party testing on their products.

Polytan-USA: Schools can contact Polytan for further information about synthetic turf and track surfaces. We will be glad to answer any questions in evaluating your synthetic turf surfaces.

TigerTurf: We recommend that all customers secure independent test results illustrating company and product compliance with heavy metal and other safety standards. We also recommend that customers research turf companies under consideration to ensure that they follow good business practices and are stewards of the environment.