×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Playing Surfaces Typically Not Inspected, Says Ohio County Health Official

WHEELING — The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department offers advice for cleaning and sanitizing outdoor athletic areas, although typically its sanitarians don’t inspect outdoor fields or playing surfaces after flooding occurs.

Howard Gamble, administrator of the health department, said that in such cases, “We would do an inspection of food service areas and common areas and, if asked, could review outdoor playing areas.”

During an Ohio County Board of Education meeting Tuesday, board member David Croft — who is a former member of the Board of Health — expressed concern about bacteria and safety issues on Wheeling Island Stadium’s flood-prone turf.

“It is our understanding that the (Board of Education) has and did clean the Island field after the most recent flooding,” Gamble said Wednesday. “The school follows the manufacturers’ recommendations for cleaning the surface after a large contamination.

They use a disinfectant material to do the cleaning. They also do routine cleaning.”

Sanitary issues are a continuing concern for playing surfaces of all types.

“First, the surfaces will always have some level of contamination or microorganisms, bird droppings, rain run-off and man-made contaminations,” the health administrator said. “Even indoor fields will have some level of contamination.”

Many outdoor playing surfaces, including Wheeling Island Stadium, can become covered with water and become contaminated with bacteria from sewage overflows, storm water runoff and other hazardous materials, he said.

Harmful microorganisms can be reduced “through time, temperature, sunlight and rain and the area is usually safe a couple of weeks later, depending on the level of flooding,” he added.

At the stadium, he said, “Some of the outdoor equipment/hard surfaces can be treated with a simple disinfectant or bleach solution, allowed to air dry and then drenched with potable water to flush microorganisms away. The area should be allowed to sun dry and have sun/rain cycles to destroy and remove microorganisms.”

Outdoor playing surfaces — both man-made and natural — can be cleaned by applying hydrated lime as recommended by its manufacturer.

“The lime is removed by hosing the field with potable water and the field is then allowed to air dry,” he said.

Gamble said other prevention steps can be followed by parents, players and coaches. The precautions include:

∫ Wash hands thoroughly after playing on a field or play area and before eating.

∫ Protect open cuts or scrapes by covering them before playing. Thoroughly wash any cuts or abrasions incurred while playing on a field or play area with clean water to prevent infection.

∫ Athletes should be up-to-date on tetanus vaccinations.

∫ Remove shoes, cleats, sports equipment and soiled uniforms after playing to avoid contaminating clean areas.

∫ Shower after play or field contact.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today