No Reason to Worry about Folsom's Artificial Turf

Tests show that the FieldTurf artificial turf in use on four Folsom athletic fields is safe for those who use the fields and the environment.

Recent publicity cited potentially high levels of lead found by the New Jersey Department of Health in old style, nylon fibers used by other turf manufactures. The FieldTurf system, installed in Folsom as well as more than 2,500 fields worldwide, uses totally different materials.

"Ensuring the safety of children and adults who use our fields has always been our number one priority," said Robert Goss, Folsom's Parks and Recreation Director. "Recent tests show a very low or undetectable level of lead in the polyethylene fibers used by FieldTurf."

Goss also pointed out that the FieldTurf product has a positive impact on the environment because FieldTurf uses only environmentally friendly components. In addition, the use of artificial turf reduces the city's water consumption by more than 680,000 gallons a year and also eliminates pollution generated by the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

FieldTurf is in use at the newly renovated youth football field at Livermore Park, the indoor soccer field at the Folsom Sports Complex, and the two soccer fields at John Kemp Community Park.