Staff Report
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The Corporation of Delta  COUNCIL REPORT  Regular Meeting  To: From: Date: Mayor and Council  Parks, Recreation & Culture Department and Climate Action and Environment  October 20, 2008   File No.: 63000-1     Synthetic Turf Fields †“ Lead Content Testing Results  The following report has been reviewed and endorsed by the Chief Administrative Officer.  RECOMMENDATION:  THAT this report be received for information.  PURPOSE:  To provide information relative to heavy metal testing of the existing synthetic turf fields in Delta and the analysis of these results by the Fraser Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control.  BACKGROUND:  At the April 28, 2008 Regular meeting, Council received a report on synthetic turf lead content. That report focused on the differences between Delta†™s fields and those that were found to contain high levels of lead in New Jersey. The report stated that despite the research, Delta would be conducting its own testing on the synthetic turf fields, as well as the adjacent soil based fields.  This report provides an overview of the independent environmental consultant†™s metal analysis of Delta†™s four synthetic turf fields, along with Fraser Health Authority†™s findings and recommendations regarding the potential health concerns associated with synthetic turf fields.  DISCUSSION:  Delta†™s Turf Field Analysis Pacific Environmental Consulting gathered samples of turf fibers and rubber crumb material at each of Delta†™s four synthetic turf fields. Composite soil samples were also taken from adjacent natural turf playing fields at each location. The consultant†™s analysis confirmed the presence of elevated levels of lead, chromium, and zinc in some components of Delta†™s artificial turf fields (primarily in the coloured lines†™fibers). However, the consultant†™s report concludes that there is †œno reason to stop using these fields†•, on the basis that:  Pigments in the fibers containing the lead are in the form of lead chromate, which is highly insoluble and thus has very low bioavailability. It means that it is difficult for the human body to absorb this compound; Lead chromate is fixed in place in the fibers and leaching of heavy metals does not occur; and Air monitoring tests have been conducted on synthetic turf fields in other studies and no detectable levels of airborne lead or lead chromate was identified.  All results from the soil samples analyzed were within the applicable criteria. A full copy of the analysis and conclusions is provided in Attachment A.  In so far as chromium and zinc is concerned, Pacific Environmental Consulting noted that these metals are essential nutrients and that based on their research the public health risk appears to be negligible. To validate the conclusions of this report, staff forwarded the report to the Fraser Health Authority for comments and review. This is discussed further below.  Regional Health Risk Assessment Based on growing concern by municipalities across the region, the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) conducted a joint risk assessment to assess the potential health risks associated with synthetic turf fields throughout the region. The Pacific Environmental Consulting report, pertaining to Delta†™s synthetic turf fields, was provided to the Fraser Health Authority as background information for the study.  As part of their risk assessment, the BCCDC has reaffirmed the methodology, and conclusions of earlier analysis undertaken by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) which mimicked child exposure to lead by way of a hand to mouth pathway. This analysis evaluated a variety of artificial turf field materials installed between 1999 and present, with varying concentrations of lead. In every instance, the estimated potential of lead exposure for children playing on synthetic turf fields did not exceed the accepted maximum ingestion level of 15 micrograms.  Recognizing that the range of lead concentrations and overall age of the turf field samples evaluated in the CPSC analysis were equal or greater to that which are existing within the areas governed by the Fraser and Vancouver Health Authorities, it was concluded that:  The health risk associated with exposure to lead in artificial turf is low; and There is no strong health rationale to remove and replace existing synthetic turf fields.  Correspondence from the Fraser Health Authority, dated September 23, 2008, and the associated report from the BC Centre for Disease Control, pertaining to the potential health risks associated with synthetic turf fields has been provided as Attachment B.  The Fraser Health Authority concludes that there are no significant health concerns related to the presence of lead and other metal in some artificial turf fields.  CONCLUSION:              While the results of the heavy metal content analysis undertaken by Pacific Environmental Consulting confirm the presence of lead, chromium and zinc within some components of Delta†™s synthetic turf fields, further analysis by the Fraser Health Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control has concluded that levels of lead and other metals observed, poses no significant public health risk to field users.      Ken Kuntz Mike Brotherston Director of Parks, Recreation & Culutre Manager of Climate Action & Environment   Department submission prepared by: Alan Evans, AScT, Capital Projects Manager      Attachments: A. Report from Pacific Environmental Consulting B. Fraser Health Authority Correspondence †“ Artificial Turf Field Health Concerns Â
