Determining the concentration of lead in MIT athletic facilities and estimating student-athlete exposure to lead

Abstract

In April of 2008, there were reports of elevated lead levels in several AstroTurf surfaced fields in New Jersey that motivated this investigation of MIT's synthetic turf field and other athletic facilities for elevated lead levels. I have analyzed samples of chalk, paint, dust, water, air, and synthetic turf fibers for lead concentration and isotopic composition by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Additionally, blood lead levels were tested in a student-athlete and a non-athlete for control. The synthetic turf, water, chalk, and air analyzed from the athletic facilities were found to pose no significant lead hazard for student-athletes using the facilities, and the tested student-athlete had a normal blood lead level. The dust and paint did not pose a significant hazard to student athletes, but hazardous levels of lead were found in some dust and paint samples. It is recommended that further studies of the lead in duPont Gymnasium paint and Rockwell and duPont Gymnasium dust be performed and the potential hazards to be investigated.