New Artificial Grass Lead Level Standards Take Effect in August of 2009

Public health officials have waged a massive campaign to eliminate children's exposure to lead over the last two decades.  The artificial grass industry also wants to protect its customers and show that it takes lead levels seriously.  This is evidenced by the recent rules and standards implemented by two major governing entities in conjunction with the artificial grass industry.  Normal levels of lead are 400 ppm in soil.

The ASTM, the American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services, has recently posted new standards for artificial grass lead (Pb) levels. 

The goal is to have all artificial grass manufactured after September 1, 2009 with lead levels less than 100 mg/kg or parts per million (ppm).  This document, ASTM Standard F2765, explains testing procedures for synthetic turf fibers and finished yarns.  It outlines a test method for artificial grass sample preparation and a test method for analyzing the total lead content in synthetic turf fibers.  It is the goal of the artificial grass industry to reduce lead content to 100 ppm by Sept. 1, 2011.  Normal levels of lead are 400 ppm in soil.  You can purchase your own license of the newly published ASTM standard online at: http://www.astm.org/Standards/F2765.htm .

CPSIA, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, is also implementing a new lead level rule called: Section 101 Children’s Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule.  This rule states that after August 14, 2009, paint and similar surface-coating materials for consumer use must be reduced from 600ppm to 90ppm.  While this rule is not specific to artificial grass lead levels, artificial grass would fall into this ruling because artificial grass is installed on playgrounds and sports fields.  This rule is slightly more stringent than the ASTM Standard of 100ppm.  The CPSC staff called for synthetic turf makers to agree voluntarily not to use lead in their products.  More information on the Lead Paint Rule can be found at : http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect101.html