Letter to the Editor: My Concerns About Synthetic Turf

This letter was written by RVC resident Marianna Bracco. Her opinions and thoughts do not reflect those of Rockville Centre Patch.

What You Should Know About Synthetic Turf

As parents raising our children in an environment where we have seen record levels of allergies, asthma, ADHD and autism, I am truly concerned about the desire to use synthetic turf in our community. Environment and Human Health, Inc. conducted a study in 2008 and CASE, the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, conducted a separate study in 2010. The results of both studies were so shocking that the Connecticut Department of Health urged them to soften the report so as not to alarm parents. Below is only a partial list of the hazardous affects:

1. Crumb Rubber – 40,000 tires are typically used as the infill for each synthetic field. The chemicals that are found in tires are numerous and proven carcinogens. In fact, the chemicals found in tires are so toxic that they cannot be legally disposed of in landfills or through ocean dumping.  Yet, ironically this toxic material is being allowed where children can come into direct contact with it. 
2. Lead Hazard — Most synthetic turf uses lead to brighten the field’s colors.  The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention have considered lead dust to be one of the biggest known health hazards to children. In fact, Mount Sinai School of Medicine recently stated in May, “there is no safe level. Lead is toxic to the developing brain at even the lowest levels.”  New York City recently shut down fields due to the hazardous levels of lead.     
3. Toxic run-off  — When an artificial field drains after a heavy rain, the run-off (which may contain lead and infill material) could leach into and contaminate a community's ground and drinking water. The synthetic fields proposed by Molloy and Rockville Centre will have a drainage system that will be able to handle eight inches of rain water an hour. Do we really need another Hurricane Irene to demonstrate that this will not suffice?  Another toxic run-off to consider is the wind. On a windy day, chemical dust will be released into the surrounding environment affecting us all.  But imagine how it will affect those children who are already suffering from asthma and allergies?
4. Bacterial breeding ground – Medical experts have found that bacteria can survive on the polyethylene plastic for more than 90 days. How will the fields be cleaned without introducing new chemicals into our environment? And what does this mean for turf burns?

These are just a few of the potential risks by adding synthetic turf into our community. We have not even addressed the impact on aquatic and wildlife. 

Our children are growing up in an environment where at birth they a bombarded with chemicals that never existed when we were growing up. As a parent, it is our duty and our responsibility to ensure we provide our children the safest possible environment. There are healthier alternatives. 

Molloy College recently created a Sustainability Institute, the first of its kind in Long Island.  In 2008, Molloy committed to organic lawn care for all campus grounds and off-site locations. Why should the athletic fields be treated any differently? Why doesn’t Molloy commit $6mm to sustainable solutions? Molloy and Rockville Centre have the opportunity to become leaders and provide a model for other communities in providing a sustainable solution that is healthy for our children and our environment.

Our elected officials, advisors, and the companies that sell this product, will say that the second generation of turf addresses these concerns. There are no assurances. The EPA has over 80,000 chemicals in their database and has only tested 200 of them.  They have only been able to successfully ban five chemicals due to the large lobbying budgets of these multi-national conglomerates. If you have any doubts about the efficacy of the EPA, keep in mind that it took them more than thirty years to ban asbestos. So while the jury is still out as to whether or not the second generation turf is better and healthier for our children and the environment,  I would prefer to say,  “thank you but no thank you, my child is not a science experiment.” Let’s find a better solution. 

And while we are on the subject, has anyone recently tested the lead levels over at Skelos field?