Category: News

Bacteria in Artificial Turf

Ever played a sport on a synthetic turf field? These sporting staples can make for an incredible playing field, but they can also harbor some nasty bacteria. On average, the lifespan of a turf playing field is about 8 years; factors that influence this lifespan include whether the turf is indoors or outdoors and how it’s maintained.

Turf fields are designed to look like grass and infilled with rubber granules. Maintaining turf fields is as much an art as a science, with careful grooming of the infill, and often use of commercial biocides. Field turf can provide many benefits, such as a consistent playing surface in all weather, but it’s also difficult to fully clean. In general, outdoor turf contains less bacteria than indoor surfaces, because the elements and UV rays can breakdown surface bacteria.

A 2013 study out of Webber State University titled “Determination of Microbial Populations of Synthetic Turf Systems” found that in a 14-week sampling period through late summer and fall of football season, a six-year-old turf system had as many as a 104 increase in microbial populations to year old turf. The highest bacterial counts for both one-year-old and six-year-old turf were found at the sidelines. Salt-tolerant bacteria were found in high numbers, indication potential staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are both commonly found on human skin but can cause opportunistic infections under the right conditions. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is found on approximately 3% of people within the general population, but can cause severe illnesses when introduced through abrasions, broken skin, or even through contact with contaminated water bottles or equipment).

EHSI has industrial hygienists on staff with the microbiological training necessary to assess synthetic turf bacteria (typically through taking samples of infill). There are different types of tests that can be performed based upon the needs of the client. In addition to baseline testing of field turf to determine bacterial load, if a client is using a commercial biocide to regulate their bacterial growth, EHSI can test before and after application to measure effectiveness of the protocol. EHSI can also review any biocides, making certain the chemicals applied are not harmful to the planet or users.

Supporting Clients with Infrastructure Budget Appropriations

“Infrastructure Week” has certainly been a running joke for the last few years, but we at SoundEarth Strategies and EHS-International are already hard at work on an important drinking water infrastructure study to support funding under the recently passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill! Large spending packages like this one are never without controversy, and opinions about government spending are always wide ranging.

Activities are already underway applying sound science, engineering, and economic analyses to better identify and quantify the scope of upcoming infrastructure improvements. EHS-International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SoundEarth, is currently supporting Green Economics, LLC and the State of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in the development of cost estimates for remediation and mitigation of lead-contaminated drinking water fixtures at public, charter, and tribal schools throughout all of Washington State.

Issues Surrounding Lead in Drinking Water and K-12 Schools

Issues surrounding lead in drinking water in homes and communities, along with the particular risks to children, have garnered increased attention and scrutiny nationwide. However, children attending K-12 public schools also may be at risk of lead exposure from drinking water. School drinking water is a daily source of water for the more than 50 million children enrolled in public schools nationwide. School schedules typically include significant periods of limited use during time off, which can contribute to standing water in school plumbing systems. These inactive times can result in increased leaching of lead from aging pipes and fixtures into the water. Many schools have testing programs in place, but a 2018 U.S. Government Accounting Office report estimated that 41 percent of school districts nationwide had not tested for lead in their water over the prior two-year period. Of those that did test, approximately 37 percent found elevated lead in their water. As such, it is no surprise to us that among the infrastructure projects of interest here in Washington is the remediation of public-school water systems.

EHSI Lead in Drinking Water Data Analysis and Remediation Cost Estimation

The drinking water data we are analyzing is from large, medium, and small school districts over the most recent three-year period of lead contamination testing performed by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and independent testing programs. The remediation cost estimates we are helping to develop address relevant technical assistance, design, parts and hardware, labor, contract administration, and project management expenses. Mitigation actions, treatments, and costs also are being considered.

Results Presented to the Washington State Legislature for Planning and Funding Allocation

The results of this work will allow the State of Washington to better plan for and allocate funds to protect the health and safety of our children statewide. Though planning projects like this are less visible elements of large infrastructure packages, they are critical for ensuring that projects are appropriately prioritized and funded. They are fundamental parts of SoundEarth’s and EHS-International’s continued efforts to help improve the environments in which we live and work.

Wet Weather Could Mean Mold – Prevention and Remediation of Mold Growth in Office Buildings

Fall is upon us, bringing beautiful leaves, cooler weather, and rain. While mold growth can happen at any time of the year due to a water leak or other source of intrusion, fall weather often exposes any new leaks or structural failures. This moisture intrusion can lead to mold growth.

Mold growth fundamentally occurs in the presence of moisture. Basic maintenance can prevent the development of mold by preventing leaks before they can occur and maintaining relative humidity levels below 60 percent. The ideal spectrum is 50-30 percent.

Sometimes, though, a leak goes unnoticed. When the heat is turned on in the autumn, mold “blooms,” showing discoloration where none was detected before, or a roof system can fail, allowing sudden water intrusion.

Odor and Discoloration

If odor, discoloration, or sudden water intrusion is noticed, begin remediation immediately. Industrial hygienists can help identify less apparent water intrusion using moisture meters and determine the type of suspected mold growth through air and surface sampling.

Remediation

In cases of sudden water intrusion from a leak or other source, efforts should be made immediately to remediate the leak and dry impacted materials. As a rule, permeable surfaces that can not be dried within 48 hours, such as wallboard, should be removed to prevent mold growth and to maintain structural integrity.

Small amounts of mold growth may be remediated in house, but when suspect visible mold growth is found exceeding 10 square feet, special precautions must be taken. In these situations, a remediation contractor can establish containment of the area to prevent the airborne spread of mold, and workers will have the training and personal protective equipment needed to stay safe.

Locating the Source

As moisture is the fundamental element of mold growth, the source of moisture intrusion must be located in order to prevent recurrence. Industrial hygienists can offer mold and moisture assessments that help locate the source of intrusion and offer recommendations on remediation, or they can work directly with the remediation contractor to ensure the best outcome.