In a recent letter posted on the Internet and credited to the MI School Board and Mr. Keith Ellis, the following statement appears: “Dog excrement can allow bacteria such as MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus) to live in synthetic surfaces and continue growing.” It specifically links dogs to MRSA and appears to be used to justify the signage banning dogs, on/off leash, from the school playfields at all times. I have found that the quoted association between dog excrement and artificial turf is unfounded. Using MRSA as a “hot button” to justify a policy against dogs is misleading and could prove harmful by masking the true risks of MRSA and the health hazard it presents to our children.

Be it on artificial or real turf, it is impossible to eliminate the risk of MRSA infection from contact sports. Superficial staphylococcal infections, including those from MRSA bacteria, are passed player to player from direct contact, infected wounds, human secretions, athletic clothing, equipment and towels. Turf burns and skin abrasions caused more frequently by artificial surfaces may predispose to such infections.

Participants and their parents must be aware of these potential risks whether on artificial or natural turf surfaces, and take the following precautions:

∙ Immediate post-game hygiene should include washing or showering with an antibacterial soap to decrease potential harmful bacterial skin contamination.

∙ Athletic clothing should be properly laundered in a timely manner.

∙ Towels should not be shared by participants.

∙ Superficial skin injuries should be cleaned and covered before play or when they occur.

∙ If a wound or turf burn shows signs of improper healing such as progressive redness, swelling or pain (particularly if associated with a fever), appropriate medical assessment and treatment should be undertaken.

I agree it’s unsavory to think of our children playing on artificial turf contaminated by birds, animals or humans (spit, urine, feces). Pet owners must be responsible and keep their pets off these expensive artificial surfaces and be responsible and considerate of others by cleaning up after their pets in adjacent.

If Mr. Ellis and the Mercer Island School Board want the community’s cooperation, they need to get it right: MRSA may be a problem in sports, but the presence of dogs around our artificial surfaces has little or no bearing on MRSA contamination or infection. MRSA should not serve as a foundation for your current policy.

Paul D. Conrad, M.D.