Turf manufacturer: Roggy Field is lead-free BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer HOLMDEL - Have no fear, the turf field is lead-clear. At least that's what the manufacturer of the turf at Roggy Field at Holmdel High School told the Holmdel School District last week. "We are pleased to report that there is nothing to fear from products installed by FieldTurf Tarkett," Darren Gill, the director of marketing for the company that installed the turf at Roggy Field, said in an e-mail. The e-mail came in response to the New Jersey Department of Health's report on high lead counts found in artificial turf fields tested prior to April 14. "The tested turf was composed of either nylon, polyethylene, or a mixture of the two," stated a press release from Heather Howard, commissioner for Health and Senior Services. "High lead levels were seen only in artificial turf containing nylon fibers." According to the e-mail, fields made with nylon fibers contain lead. Roggy Field, which is made of FieldTurf, contains 100 percent polyethylene. "Recent testing on many of our fields confirms their lead-free compliance and safety," Gill stated. According to Holmdel School District BusinessAdministratorMichael Petrizzo, the company sent out the e-mail in response to the state alert regarding the lead found in various turf fields across the state. The first game was played on Roggy Field in October 2006. Gill reaffirmed the benefits of a Field- Turf surface for athletes to play on. "Aside from eliminating the massive amounts of pesticides from our environment, artificial turf saves billions of gallons of clean water each year," he said. "And most importantly, FieldTurf artificial turf provides a safer surface that reduces injuries." Roggy Field was completed in 2006 and was a joint project between the Board of Education and Holmdel Township. According to Holmdel Township Administrator and Chief Financial Officer Joseph Annecharico, the field cost approximately $1.4 million and was named after Bob Roggy, an active participant within the Holmdel School District. Erin Stattel can be contacted at estattel@gmnews.com.