KEHLER STADIUM FIELD NEWEST AND SAFEST TURF

The turf product at Kehler Stadium has been purchased from a company called FieldTurf. The article listed below indicates that the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has tested FieldTurf fields and found that there are “undetectable levels of lead” or “very low levels” in the fibers used by FieldTurf. The article also indicates that the “high levels of lead” were found in the older style “nylon turf fields” and not in the FieldTurf Fields. Prior to purchasing the FieldTurf product Westfield administrators visited several different schools and different field manufacturers and found FieldTurf to best suit our needs. We will continue to monitor the situation.


FIELDTURF EXONERATED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES (NJDHSS)

TRENTON, NJ (April 15, 2008) - The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) has tested 12 artificial turf fields and found that there are "very low or undetectable levels of lead" in the polyethylene fibers used by FieldTurf.

However, the NJDHSS stated that "high levels of lead" were found in the nylon turf fibers - old style, carpet-like fibers that are not even remotely similar to FieldTurf’s fibers. FieldTurf has never used nylon fibers. These tests confirm yet again that FieldTurf fields are safe for the players and the environment.
The fibers in the FieldTurf system, installed on more than 200 fields in the Garden State and over 2500 fields worldwide, have a positive impact on the environment because FieldTurf uses only environmentally friendly components.

"The safety of athletes and communities is, and always has been, the number one priority at FieldTurf," said FieldTurf Tarkett CEO Joe Fields. "Our commitment to the environment ensures that our products are constantly being tested to ensure safety. The FieldTurf system has worked wonders for organizations all over the world as a product that reduces water consumption and pollution caused by chemical use, while increasing playing time, reducing injuries and promoting a healthy lifestyle."

The installation of FieldTurf eliminates the use of harmful pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides, while at the same time removes thousands of tires from landfill sites. FieldTurf requires no mowing, fertilizing, reseeding or watering. FieldTurf helps organizations earn the necessary points needed for U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification. FieldTurf’s reused rubber content and water use reduction, among other factors, can contribute up to 10 points towards LEED certification.