STAMFORD, CT — Elevated levels of lead in older synthetic turf sports fields keep popping up with more testing.

Most recently, health officials closed the turf field at Boyle Stadium at Stamford High School here. The officials closed the field as a precautionary measure. They said that they feel the possibility of field users being affected by lead poisoning is small. The lead was discovered in the nylon fibers of the 11-year-old field.

Tests by two independent labs found lead at nearly 4,000 parts per million in samples of the field's turf, and 120 parts per million in the absorption pad. About 500 parts per million is the maximum for a safe level of exposure, according to U.S. EPA.

An article in the Stamford Times newspaper said the field will likely be closed for the next several months and will be replaced by a new field with polyethylene fibers with virtually indetectable levels of lead.

The presence of lead in synthetic turf became an issue when two fields were tested and closed in New Jersey recently. The closures kicked off a wave of national publicity focusing on the safety of synthetic turf sports fields. Several manufacturers and the trade association representing them, the Synthetic Turf Council, have been responding to the negative publicity with a vigorous defense of the safety of its products.

“City finds elevated levels of lead in artificial turf in Boyle Stadium,” The Stamford Times, May 13