L-S’ artificial fields deemed safe for use

By Rachael Potter

Despite recent concern over the high levels of lead found in artificial turf playing fields, the Lincoln-Sudbury athletic department asserts that the danger of lead is a “non-issue” for the new turf fields at L-S.
While artificial turf surfaces eliminate the need for constant maintenance and provide a smooth playing surface, the pigment in the fibers, which are usually made of nylon, contains lead chromate which critics believe can leach into the crushed rubber bits on the field and be inhaled by athletes.
However, the fields at LS are made of polyethylene, rather than nylon. The polyethelyne material requires far lower levels of heavy metals in the fibers to maintain its color.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asserts that the trace amount of lead found in polyethelyne fields is not dangerous poses no health risks to athletes.  
Concern about lead in turf fields rose to the forefront a few weeks ago when two fields in New Jersey were voluntarily closed after health officials discovered lead levels in them nearly ten times higher than is deemed acceptable by the State Department of Health and Senior Services.
Since then, controversy has arisen in several other states, including New York, as citizens protested against using hazardous materials in children’s athletic facilities.
Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council, maintains that the nylon fields are in fact safe, stating that “the lead is fixed in place in the nylon and does not leach out, and thus poses no health risk.”
The Synthetic Turf Council also clarified that companies are now manufacturing nylon fields that do not contain lead.
Although it remains unclear how easily lead from the turf can be absorbed by the body, the health health risks of lead are serious. Chronic ingesting of lead can result in brain damage and other illnesses most commonly found in children.

Nalgene plastic poses possible health hazards

The Canadian government is preparing to declare, bisphenol-a, or B.P.A, a chemical widely used in plastic Nalgene bottles and food containers, toxic.
Scientists fear that B.P.A could have adverse effects on the neural and behavioral systems of humans. Although it is unclear how much of the chemical is released through plastics, food and beverage containers containing B.P.A have been under special scrutiny because of their direct effect on the human body.
However, Warren G. Foster, the director of the center for reproductive care and reproductive biology at the University of Hamilton, Ontario recently admitted, “In my experience working with B.P.A, it’s a relatively benign chemical. There’s room here for a lot more research.”

Unclean mouthguards a haven for bacteria

While mouthguards can be a valuable form of protection against sports related dental injuries, mouthguards can pose health risks of their own if they are not cleaned properly. Mouthguards have thus become a growing concern within the L-S athletic department; while many L-S athletes use mouthguards, many may not understand the health risks associated with them.
A recent study found that mouthguards that are not properly cleaned can contain large amounts of bacteria that in the worst case scenario can lead to life-threatening infections.
Thomas Glass, DDS, PhD, who led the study on mouthguards, explained that “Everything that a microorganism needs to survive, including food and water, can be found in a mouthguard.”
To avoid infection, athletes are advised to always clean mouthguards after use or buy disposable mouthguards, always have a backup mouthguard, never to share mouthguards and to brush their teeth before using a mouthguard.