GeneralSports Venue CEO Jon Pritchett Addresses Issues Related to New Jersey Fields

RALEIGH, NC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/14/08 -- GeneralSports Venue (GSV), the exclusive U.S. licensee of the AstroTurf(R) brand, today addressed concerns raised by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services over the lead content detected in a limited test sample of nylon turf fibers.

GeneralSports Venue CEO Jon Pritchett issued a statement emphasizing that all nylon systems currently produced under the AstroTurf brand are lead free. "AstroTurf has been proactive in testing its products. As a result we can say with confidence, that based on that testing, our products are safe and pose no known risk to human health or the environment," said Pritchett.

The fields included in the limited New Jersey study were manufactured and installed by Southwest Recreational Industries, a company no longer in business, and utilized a nylon fiber material colored by a pigment that contains encapsulated lead chromate, a colorant commonly used in plastics. The statement from the New Jersey DHSS, issued by Deputy Commissioner and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, acknowledges that there is "a very low risk for exposure" to the users of the fields in the New Jersey study. Recent independent testing of nylon fibers containing pigments with lead chromate conducted by two different certified labs using EPA-approved test methods did not detect any leaching of lead from the synthetic fibers.

"Since we relaunched the AstroTurf brand in 2006, we have made substantial product improvements benefiting consumer health and safety, including state-of-the-art antimicrobial protection, green manufacturing methods and advanced infill alternatives," Pritchett said. "AstroTurf today is known for scientific and technological leadership in the synthetic turf industry, and is committed to being proactive and responsive to the market and the public at large, particularly in areas of health and safety."

An artificial turf field in the Ironbound section of Newark, N.J. located within an abandoned industrial complex that the EPA found was contaminated with heavy metals prompted New Jersey to conduct this limited study. The field, manufactured and installed in 1999 by SRI, is being removed due to the possibility of lead contamination. After meeting with GSV Chairman Michael Dennis, a New Jersey resident, the City of Newark elected to replace the old field with PureGrass(R), one of AstroTurf's lead free, nylon systems.

"As a company and as parents, we are all concerned first and foremost with the welfare of our children and the community at large," said Dennis. "AstroTurf will continue to demonstrate leadership in technology, engineering, research, environmental stewardship and safety in order to best serve the needs of participants, athletes and communities throughout the United States and the world."

The latest generation of AstroTurf products offers the industry's largest range of synthetic turf options, including advanced polyethylene, nylon and hybrid fibers utilized in infilled, non-filled and convertible systems that are the safest and most innovative synthetic turf products on the market. To learn more, visit www.astroturfusa.com.

CONTACT:

Charles Upchurch cupchurch@fwv-us.com (919) 277-1147

Courtney Mulligan cmulligan@fwv-us.com (919) 277-1181

2008-04-14 21:38:27 0335550 MARKETWIRE