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High Levels of Lead Found in 1/3 of All Artificial Turf

Artificial turf may be dangerous for children. The non-profit Center for Environment Health says it found high levels of lead in about a third of all artificial turf samples tested. KPBS Reporter Kenn

High Levels of Lead Found in 1/3 of All Artificial Turf

Artificial turf may be dangerous for children. The non-profit Center for Environment Health says it found high levels of lead in about a third of all artificial turf samples tested. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The Center for Environmental Health tested artificial turf sold at Home Depot and other major retailers. The group says in every sample that contained a high amount of lead, the toxin would wipe off at a level that violates California law. Center spokesman Charles Margules says there is no federal or state standard for lead in turf.

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Margules: But there is a standard for lead in paint, and that's 600 parts per million. What we found was the turf samples we tested, had at least double that number and some of the samples had more than ten times that level.

The Center has filed legal action against synthetic turf makers under Prop 65. It's asking companies to change the way their products are made.

Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.