April 28, 2008
Open Letter to Our Constituents:
As you may be aware, a recent announcement by the State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) regarding lead in the nylon fibers of three older fields in New Jersey has caused quite a stir within the synthetic turf industry. We feel that it is important to address the concerns of our customers and constituents as it relates to this issue.
First, we want to let you know that synthetic turf is safe. With 40 years of history under EPA oversight and OSHA-regulated manufacturing, not one person has ever reported ill effects related to any materials used in synthetic turf.
In addition, we want to make clear that the fibers in currently produced AstroTurf® products, both nylon and polyethylene, are environmentally safe, and are below stringent international standards with respect to heavy metal content and leaching from the turf fibers, including lead.
With respect to the older fields identified by the NJDHHS, it is important to note that those fields were not sold, manufactured or installed by GSV or our manufacturing partners in Dalton, Textile Management Associates (TMA). Those fields were marketed under the AstroTurf® trade name by a predecessor organization, Southwest Recreational Industries (SRI). SRI management and ownership have no relationship to either GSV or TMA, and, in fact, SRI is no longer in business.
Although the fields identified by the NJDHHS were not sold, manufactured or installed by GSV or TMA, we have been proactively involved in investigating this matter. What the NJDHSS identified in the three older fields in New Jersey was the presence of lead chromate in the fibers. Lead chromate is a chemical compound that has been used commonly in the inorganic pigments that provide color fastness to a wide variety of products, including synthetic turf. What is important to note is that during the manufacturing process, such pigments are encapsulated within the products. This encapsulation process prevents the leaching of the pigments from the finished product, including any inorganic compounds used in the pigments such as lead chromate.
The safety of this encapsulation process has been confirmed by various tests. Three different certified, independent labs using EPA approved testing protocols have performed tests on various nylon fibers containing lead chromate in the pigments, and all of the tests have confirmed that the lead chromate does not leach out of the fibers. In addition, in the case of one of the New Jersey fields identified by the NJDHSS, the City of Newark decided to replace the old field with one of our new AstroTurf PureGrass® fields. During the removal of the old surface, the City of Newark used a pollutant testing agency to monitor the air quality in the surrounding area and through monitoring devices worn by the field workers. These tests did not detect the presence of any airborne lead or lead chromate particulates during the work performed to remove the old field. Furthermore, the State of New Jersey conducted tests on the children who had been exposed to the Newark field and they found that the lead levels in the children who had played on the field were the same or lower than levels found in children from the area who had not been exposed to the field. Therefore, based on the science behind the manufacturing process, which has been confirmed by a variety of different tests, we do not believe there are any health risks associated with synthetic turf fields or with pigments containing lead chromate.
Since re-launching the brand in 2006, GSV / AstroTurf USA has made substantial product improvements benefiting consumer health and safety, including state-of-the-art antimicrobial protection, green manufacturing methods and advanced infill alternatives. AstroTurf now offers the industry’s largest range of synthetic turf products with in-filled products such as GameDay Grass® XPe, MT and 3D; non-filled products such as PureGrass and AstroTurf 12®; and conversion systems such as Magic Carpet®, Fusion Turf® and Transition Turf®. The AstroTurf brand today is known for scientific and technological leadership in the synthetic turf industry, and is committed to being proactive and responsive to its customers, particularly in areas of health and safety. It is one of the reasons why Archie Manning likes to say, This is not your Father’s AstroTurf.
I hope this letter addresses any concerns that you may have about this matter. Please feel free to contact me if you should have any further questions.
Warmest regards,
Michael A. Dennis, Chairman & President
Jon L. Pritchett, CEO
