The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has completed its analysis of the synthetic material used to cover athletic fields and has determined that the fields pose no risk of exposure to high levels of lead to children.

Although the fake grass blades are colored with pigments that contain lead, according to the report the amount of lead emitted from the turf poses no threat.  Even those fields that have been exposed to years of sun exposure and  wear and tear from high use appeared to pose no significant risk. 

However, as a precaution, the CPSC recommends that children wash their hands after playing in the fields to prevent any chance that they may ingest small amounts of the fibers. Of course, it is recommended that they always wash before eating anyway.

Several  other childrens products have been recalled recently because they contained excessive amounts of lead.  It is comforting to know that at least the artificial turf on the ballparks won’t have to be removed.