2015 REPORT TO KINNELON COUNCIL MEMBERS

RE: SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL GRASS TURF FIELDS

This report was compiled as a public service by members of Kinnelon Conservesand the Coalition for Safe, Green Fields.

Salient information is printed inredand greenfor easy viewing.

Report prepared by Avery Hart, 5 Cherry Tree Lane

Contact: , 973-492-3404

CONTENTS

A – Standing Warning Sign, Ridgefield, Ct……………..4

B–University of Sienna, Italy……………………………5

C – USA TODAY – national newspaper……………...... 6

D – Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance………………9

E – West Orange News and Observer………………....13

F – FOX News and Reuters News………………………16

G – Chemosphere……………………………………...... 18

H – NBC News Special Investigation…………………. 20

I – The Equalizer: Women’s’ SoccerNews…………….21

J–Forbes Magazine…………………………………….23

K – Falcon Online, Sarasota, FL…………………………25

L–Norwegian Institute for Water Research…………..26

M – EnvironmentHuman Health. Open Letter………28

N–Features and Benefits of Natural Grass Fields...30-33

O - University of Arkansas:Turf Fact Sheet

ADDENDUM: You Tube videos

EXHIBIT A

STANDING TURF WARNING SIGN:

EXHIBIT B

From the University of Sienna Italy

Release of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals from Rubber Crumb in Synthetic Turf Fields: Preliminary Hazard Assessment for Athletes
Letizia Marsili1*, Daniele Coppola1, Nicola Bianchi1, Silvia Maltese1, Massimo Bianchi2and Maria Cristina Fossi1
1Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, Siena University, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
2Department of Political Science and International, Siena University, Via Mattioli 10, 53100 Siena, Italy
Abstract
Synthetic turf, made with an infill of rubber crumb from used tyres or virgin rubber, is now common in many sporting facilities. It is known that it contains compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. We evaluated in nine samples of rubber crumb the total content of some heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Fe) normally found in tyres by microwave mineralization and the levels of the 14 US EPA priority PAHs by Soxhlet extraction and HPLC analysis. The results showed high levels of PAHs and zinc in all rubber crumbsamples compared to rubber granulate limits set by Italian National Amateur League (LND). Following the precautionary principle, a risk assessment at 25°C was done, using the Average Daily Dose (ADD) assumed by athletes, expressed in terms of mass of contaminant per unit of body weight per day (mg/kg day), and the Lifetime Average Daily Dose (LADD) and then evaluating the Hazard Index (HI) and the Cumulative Excess Cancer Risk (ΣECR). In the different rubber granulates samples the HI ranges from a minimum of 8.94×10-7 to a maximum of 1.16×10-6, while the ΣECR ranges from a minimum of 4.91×10-9 to a maximum of 1.10×10-8.
The aim of this study was to estimate the “hazard” for athletes inhaling PAHs released at the high temperatures this synthetic turf may reach. A sequence of proofs was carried out at 60°C, a temperature that this rubber crumb can easily reach in sporting installations, to see whether PAH release occurs. The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of evaporates from rubber crumb represents a major contribution to the total daily intake of PAHs by different routes.

Link to complete study:

EXHIBIT C

USA TODAY

March 15, 2015

“Lead levels high enough to potentially harm children have been found in artificial turf used at thousands of schools, playgrounds and day-care centers across the country, yet two federal agencies continue to promote the surfacing as safe, a USA TODAY analysis shows.

The growing use of turf fields layered with rubber crumbs has raised health concerns centered mostly on whether players face increased risk of injury, skin infection or cancer. The U.S. has more than 11,000 artificial turf fields.

But largely overlooked has been the possible harm to young children from ingesting lead in turf materials, and the federal government's role in encouraging their use despite doing admittedly limited research on their health safety.

Lead is a well-known children's hazard that over time can cause lost intelligence, developmental delays, and damage to organs and the nervous system.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, charged with protecting children from lead in consumer products, has promoted turf-and-rubber fields for nearly seven years with a website headline declaring them "OK to install, OK to play on." A news release says, "Young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields," even thoughthe commission found potentially hazardous lead levels in some turf fibers and did not test any rubber crumbs, which are made from recycled tires that contain roughly 30 hazardous substances including lead.

The commission has acknowledged shortcomings in its 2008 study, which spokesman Scott Wolfson says "was just a handful of fields and was not representative of the full scope of fields across the country."

The Environmental Protection Agency has promoted the use of rubber crumbs in athletic fields and on playground surfaces since 1995 to help create markets for recycled car and truck tires.But the EPA didn't investigate the potential toxicity until 2008 and now says in a statement that "more testing needs to be done" to determine the materials' safety.

"We're using children as part of the poison squad," said Bruce Lanphear, a leading researcher on lead poisoning at Simon Fraser University in Canada, who suggests a moratorium on installing artificial-turf fields until their safety is proved.

The CDC in 2008 said communities should test recreational areas with turf fibers made from nylon, and they should bar children younger than 6 from the areas if the lead level exceeded the federal limit for lead in soil in children's play areas.

But some communities have refused to test their fields, fearing that a high lead level would generate lawsuits or force them to replace and remove a field, which costs about $1 million, according to a 2011 New Jersey state report.

Forty-five of 50 New Jersey schools and towns contacted in 2009 by epidemiologist Stuart Shalat would not let him test their turf-and-rubber fields, Shalat's report states. The EPA also found, in 2009, that "it was difficult to obtain access and permission to sample at playgrounds and synthetic turf fields."

"If you're exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds, whether it's organic compounds or metals, you'd think you'd want to know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over your eyes and saying, 'I don't see a problem,' "Shalat said.

STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED

Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements, which have helped vastly expand the nation's use of artificial turf. It now blankets more than 11,000 fields, from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots, and millions more square feet at resorts, office parks and playgrounds, according to the Synthetic Turf Council.

"There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry," the council says, calling turf a durable, year-round playing surface that needs no watering, pesticides or fertilizers.

The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may absorb particulates through ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. Government and academic studies "all have concluded" that a turf-and-rubber field "does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages," the council says in a PowerPoint presentation.

But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists' warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and rubber crumbs.

The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only minimal increased cancer risk. The statement actually is from a Rubber Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report. Council spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was "an honest mistake."

Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs, which can be as small as a pencil tip or as large as a wood chip. The studies analyzed a small number of turf materials.

A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers. The study analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once in their lifetimes.

"Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber," said Mark Oldfield, a spokesman for the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Nonetheless, the department is planning a new study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at children ingesting crumb material chronically.

Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not be a "major source of lead" for young children given the limited amount of time they spend on a field or playground.

Others are worried. The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and fields with crumb rubber. "There are no large-scale, national studies on the possible health issues associated with inhalation, ingestion or contact," the department said. "Research to date has been inconclusive, contradictory or limited in scope."

CDC: 'No safe lead level' in children

At least 10 studies since 2007 — including those by the safety commission and the EPA — have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers and in rubber crumbs, USA TODAY found.

Read the entire article at:

EXHIBIT D

Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance

Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic Turf

March 12, 2015The following appeared inthe Lehigh Valley press, Express-Times andMorning Call

TO: Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf

In the last couple of years, considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern. The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies; Environment & Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved. So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations, and we urge you to reconsider or defer action.

First of all, most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf. They hear rumors about health concerns, but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe. (Unfortunately, the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete, misleading, or incorrect.)

To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros & cons of installing synthetic turf, I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf. We are assembling reliable information on costs, health and environmental concerns, and recommended operational policies and practicesto protect public health and safety. At this point, there are few absolute answers, but many reasons to be cautious. In addition to a reported link to lymphoma—a serious blood cancer—other known health and safety concerns include the following:

  • Infill materials involving ‘crumb rubber’ contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful. These include black carbon, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] & volatile organic compounds [VOC], and phenols, all of which are known to have serious health impacts — and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather. In addition, lead, zinc, and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them — and pollute air and water as well. Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions.
  • Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous: Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150°F (~65°C), far above a safe surface temperature of 120°F (~49°C). These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface.
  • Modern synthetic turf causes serious ‘turf burns’ for athletes—if not treated immediately & properly, these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection, including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA.
    [Also see Turf Burns – Treatment page.]
  • Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system, eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys. When this dust becomes airborne, it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near.
  • Infillmaterial is known to contain toxins, carcinogens, teratogens, and endocrine disruptors—and those who use the field ofteninhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contact—especially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns.
  • Because synthetic turf is flammable, it is often treated with flame retardants. These are known to cause reproductive disorders, birth defects, infertility, and developmental disorders.
  • Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts, with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life, compared to a -10 impact from natural turf.

Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment, the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action.

If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards, we think it is extremely important to consider the following:

1. Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill, we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds, including ‘Nike Grind’.

2. Because public fields will likely be used by leagues, informal groups, and members of the general public—including children—it is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health. This may require clear signage and warnings.

3. To protect public safety in the summer, the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level. This means not only preventing organized games, but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface.

4. Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings, they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health, safety, or reduced maintenance requirements or costs. For example, some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf! (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing.) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children, and specialized training for EMS personnel.[Also seeTurf Burns – Treatment page.]

5. In many or most cases, synthetic turf ‘vendors’ act as brokers, contracting with other parties to provide design services, manufacture the turf, deliver the infill material, and install the drainage systems and turf. This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties, so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise.

6. As of March 2015, at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf.

References:

  1. ‘How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays On?’ (NBC News, 8 October 2014)
  2. ‘Are artificial turf fields carcinogenic?‘ (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS, November 2013)
  3. ‘Toxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer report’ (Soccer Wire, 14 November 2014)
  4. ‘Be Aware of Artificial Turf Hazards’ fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council)
  5. ‘What to Know About Artificial Turf Fields’ fact sheet (Mt. Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center, 2011)
  6. Recommendations for Use] (EHHI, 2007) [link to Full Report]
  7. Natural Grass and Artificial Turf: Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
    [Note: This informative booklet comesfrom the Turfgrass Producers association, so it may reflect some bias. We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail, but have not yet had time to do so.][If you have questions,email .]

Exhibit E

West Orange News and Observer

West Orange High’s turf field deemed unplayableBy Steven Ryzewski on March 19, 2015

The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being deemed as unplayable.

To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High School, click HERE.—

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 10:30 a.m.

WINTER GARDEN —The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School has been deemed unplayable, athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the West Orange Times & ObserveronMarch 19.

The field, which was installed in 2007, was due for a replacement, but the school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on the community to help pitch in.

According to Miller, a representative had come to inspect the field in December, after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the field playable. A different representative came in late February to check up on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable.

The unplayable distinction means that, until the field is replaced, no further events can take place on it — including boys and girls lacrosse, as well as girls flag football, which are all currently in season.