Patch Letter: Making A Case For No Artificial Turf

To The Editor:

If the NFL Players Association is advocating for the removal of all artificial turf fields due to higher injury rates, shouldn’t we be concerned about the health risk to our kids if it is installed at Rockville High School?

Due to research on possible detrimental health effects, injuries, and environmental issues caused by artificial turf, we say, "Fix the field, YES! Artificial Turf, NO!”

A special virtual Town Meeting and public hearing starts at 7:35 p.m., Tuesday, April 20. The Zoom link is on the Town website, www.vernon-ct.gov/government/bids-and-contracts. Voting will take place in front of Town Hall; qualified electors and qualified property owners will drive up and remain in their vehicles to vote. Walk-up voting will be possible as well. Voting may be extended until 9:30 p.m. All parties must present a current photo ID then vote in the affirmative or negative by show of hand on one question, to vote yes or no for the entire$1.55 million track and field project.

There is no doubt, the current field needs replacement. The existing field has drainage and water retention issues, attributed to the rock and clay content of the soil. These issues have limited field use. Artificial turf was the only new surface considered for the RHS playfield by the BOE. There was no evaluation or cost comparison of replacement with natural grass or sod over a new layer of topsoil. The artificial turf installation is a many-layered system, with a base of 8 inches of rock, often a shock pad, the synthetic “carpet” with crumb-rubber and sand infill. Underneath is a drainage system and a water cooling system. Once installed, it would be a major expense to remove.

Artificial turf has one advantage over natural grass in that allows more use/playtime - one artificial turf field provides about three times the use of a natural grass field; but it comes with costs!

First and foremost are health concerns. Artificial turf is a harder surface than natural grass. Studies show more injuries occur with artificial turf. The NFL players association recently advocated for the removal of all NFL artificial turf fields due to the high injury rate. Synthetic carpets can get to 20 to 50 degrees hotter than natural grass, presenting a greater risk of heatstroke to athletes. Rubber and plastic can harbor bacteria, which won’t wash away, as it does on natural grass. Injuries can also result from faulty installation. Like any carpet, if not installed properly, it can stretch, ripple and tear. Who will pay for the special shoes required for athletes and other performers (band, cheering squad) using the field?

Environmental costs are significant too. One carpet has 40,000 lbs. of plastic, and only a small percentage is recycled. The current disposal cost is $30,000 plus the cost of transport to a recycling center, if one accepts this product.

Cancer risk has been a concern regarding artificial turf. The crumb-rubber infill is made from recycled tires and contains carcinogenic metals. A limited study done in CT can be found on the CT Dept. of Public Health website states,“27 chemicals of potential concern were studied” and “cancer risks were…slightly above de minimis levels for all scenarios evaluated.” A study from the State of Washington reports, “We know that crumb rubber is made from tires that contain chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer. However, what is critical to consider are the routes of exposure and potential dose someone receives. The available research suggests exposures from crumb rubber are very low and will not cause cancer among soccer players.” Concerns relate to the amount of exposure children and adults have to the artificial turf, so the longer one plays on artificial turf and the more time they spend per year, the greater their risk could be. Could it be that our best players will be at most risk?

The Washington State Health Department recommends several ways to minimize any potential exposures to chemicals from synthetic turf fields:

• Always wash hands after playing on the field and before eating.
• Take off shoes/cleats, sports equipment and soiled uniforms outside or in the garage to prevent tracking crumb rubber into the house.
• Shower after play, and quickly clean any cuts or scrapes to help prevent infection.
• Athletes who accidentally get crumb rubber in their mouths should spit it out; don’t swallow it.

In addition, artificial turf costs about $500,000 more to install than a natural grass field. (Future maintenance costs for each type of surface are estimated to be about the same, per Parks and Recreation Director, Marty Sitler and School Superintendent Macary.) Artificial synthetic “carpets” need to be replaced every 10-15 years; replacement costs range between $150,000 and $400,000.

As a parent, relative, athlete or concerned citizen, please be sure to access unbiased news articles and literature. Studies funded by or produced by artificial turf or natural sod companies are likely to have bias. Government or university studies are least likely to be biased.

Citizens Against Artificial Turf (CAAT) has provided many of the facts above and resources below.

Will you vote NO so we can start engaging as a community and discuss alternative and safer options for our kids? We know they deserve better!

Thank you for your attention!

Ann Bonney

Vernon

References:

Associated Press story on NFL Players, https://www.marketwatch.com/story/nfl-urged-by-players-association-to-replace-all-artificial-surface-fields-with-natural-grass-2020-10-01

CT Department of Public Health - Information on Artificial Turf Fields, https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/About/Miscellaneous/Risk-Assessment-of-Artificial-Turf-Fields

National Recreation and Parks Association Magazine, May 2019, "Synthetic Sports Fields and the Heat Island Effect"; also see Penn State Center for Sports Surface Research, Department of Plant Science.

Joint Vernon Board of Education and Town Council Meeting, Feb 19, 2020: Presentation by Field Turf Company salesman; commentary by School Superintendent Macary and P&R Director Sitler

Liberty Landscapes, LLC proposal to Vernon School Administration, December 7, 2020

zipo6.com/news/20181231/entire-high-school-turf-field-to-be-replaced, (Guilford CT)

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/12/artificial-turf-fields-are-piling-no-recycling-fix/603874/?utm_source=atl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share

Investigation of Reported Cancer among Soccer Players in Washington State

https://www.doh.wa.gov/communityandenvironment/schools/environmentalhealth/syntheticturf#:~:text=No%2C%20synthetic%20turf%20fields%20made,been%20shown%20to%20cause%20cancer.&text=dose%20someone%20receives.,The%20available%20research%20suggests%20exposures%20from%20crumb%20rubber%20are%20very,cause%20cancer%20among%20soccer%20players.