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Disintegrating NJ HS synthetic field still in use

According to an article in tapinto.net by Matt Kadosh and Matt Kipp, the synthetic field at Gary Kehler Stadium in Westfield, NJ was installed 13 years ago and is set to be resurfaced in April. But with 5 months of play remaining before the stadium’s anticipated overhaul starts, the question remains: is the existing field safe?

School officials said the turf is safe, following repairs district officials ordered made over the summer when they learned the stadium’s renovation would be delayed.

The records released following a request under the state’s Open Public Records Act show the environmental engineering firm, PMK Group, hired by the district, found “elevated lead-containing materials” in May of 2008 in one of four samples taken from the field. The firm found lead in “yellow fibers” sewn into the field, prompting it to advise the district to limit use of the field in accordance with state Department of Health and Human Services procedures.

Read more and see photos here