News

NEW YORK, NY May 15, 2008 — Artificial turf fields can get very hot, but are unlikely to pose other health risks - that's according to a draft report for the Health Department.

This comes during a nationwide debate over the merits of these fields. Geoffrey Croft, of NYC Park Advocates, says the report underplays the dangers of toxins that can be found in synthetic turf.

CROFT: The fact that the city doesn't seem to find these health risks enough to close these fields and to stop installing them, I think is very irresponsible.

REPORTER: The Health Department, which plans to release a final report later this month, admits that artificial turf can get very hot and recommends that people wash their hands after playing on them.

But, it says that artificial turf has advantages over grass because it can be played on year round and that some kinds provide padding.