The NFL season kicked off last night and everything related to football is in the news. One topic that I find interesting is that you always hear announcers talking about the recycled rubber pellets in the fake grass. Sometimes, you can even see rubber flying in the air on tackles or quick cuts.

At first glance, it may seem that this "artificial turf", often composed of material from recycled tires, is an automatic resource saver and the clear "green" alternative to natural lawns (and football fields) with the water and pesticides they require. However, synthetic grass surfaces may actually pose a health hazard because of the lead and other toxins they release and the extreme heat they can produce.

The New York Times reports on a new bill signed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg requiring parks and health departments to work together to ensure a thorough review of the materials that go into producing artificial fields. The bill was prompted by issues like the closure of a field of artificial turf due to elevated lead levels.

For more information on lead poisoning, see How to Protect Your Children from Lead Poisoning.