The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has “stepped back” from previous safety assurances about artificial turf made from recycled tires, according to a written press release.This quote came from The New Haven Register article, More studies needed on artificial turf fields, EPA says. What concerns me is that if you watch the Sports Advisory Board meeting video from Thursday evening, you will see David Donnellan mention that developing McNeilly is in the Capital Improvements Projects (the CIP, a.k.a. The Wish List). So hazardous artificial turf would be installed on three municipal fields, as well as the artificial turf presently at the high school.
“EPA now admits that it has no idea about the extent of chemical exposure to children and athletes playing on these surfaces,” said Jeff Ruch, executive director of the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
I hope people take the time to watch the SAB video. Chip, we all heard what you said about the resident missing from the meeting. Shame on you.
Highlights include: John Bendel connected the SAB to the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment. This would eliminate the need for the SAB to file for 501(c)(3) status. Donations would go into a separate project fund account, with the details TBD of who has access to it, the SAB or the Municipality.
Donations received so far:
1st official donation came from Gateway Engineering for $4,000 in 2013. There may possibly be more coming in 2014.
$25,000 Baseball Association (which amounts to $29/player) Pledged
$5,000 Football Association (which amounts to $31/player) Pledged
$5,000 may be coming from Softball.
The MLCE fee for this is $1,000, I believe.
Another thing that came out of the meeting is that if the SAB does not meet their target of $250,000, that the donations will be used for field maintenance.
Update January 14, 2014 10:34 PM During the Citizen Comments portion of tonight's commission meeting, I handed out reprints of the EPA website article, The Use of Recycled Tire Materials on Playgrounds & Artificial Turf Fields, in addition to reprints of the letter to the executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency dated December 16, 2013.
Update April 12, 2014 9:30 PM Knowing what I know now, I retract what I wrote on January 14. Organic infill doesn't make the turf safe. The blades of "grass" and the backing are also toxic. The only safe turf is natural grass.
48 comments:
Another fine example of the disdain for taxpayers residents by our public employees, boards and officials.
Way to go, Chip!
Kudos as well to the board president for letting the smart-assed comment go by unaddressed.
Chip was reminded that the meeting was being recorded.
Elaine
What did I miss on these first three comments? Inside joke? At least point to the time marker on the comment by Chip.
One thing that should not be glossed over is the fact that the community was lied to by Kristen.
I heard from more than one Environmental Sustainability Board member that they were shocked when Kristen suggested the group had supported the turf project.
They even said they have emails to prove that they said the exact opposite.
That makes at least two whoppers of lies by your esteemed commission president. Lest you think she can sue you for slander, all you have to do is have the emails that prove otherwise which should be pretty well distributed by now anyway- or at least easily available.
But was he chided for behavior unbecoming? No!
Is it any wonder why things are what they are and why there is so little participation in govt affairs.
Note that the Gateway Engineering "donation" might be considered a self serving conflict of interest in that Gateway would do all the engineering (geotechnical, enviornmental, structural/civil, stormwater, etc.) and design work on a turf project for the Muni and their fees would greatly exceed their donation. There is no competitive bidding on Muni engineering services for projects. Gateway are the Muni engineers by contract.
As far as Kristen lying to us, while we are looking at commission videos, go to:
Discussion session:
Kelly asked the question at 41:58 about the ESB: http://mtlebanon.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=90&meta_id=3049
Kristen's comment at 42:24 http://mtlebanon.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=90&meta_id=3049
My comment at the Commission meeting at 14:45 http://mtlebanon.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=92
If anyone has the email, could you please send it to me or post it here, but redact any personal email addresses please.
Elaine
Good point 2:32. Why don't they get FieldTurf to pony up the balance then they can get get it back when they bid on the project.
John Bendel has apparently made an arrangement with local,independent 501(c)(3) Mt. Lebanon Endowment Fund for the required $250,000 Turf "donation". An endowment fund's primary purpose is essentially to invest money and pay over the earnings and gains to designated beneficiaries. Usually maintain the principal.
But Commissioner John Bendel is also on the board of the Municipal government 501(c)(3)entity, the Mt. Lebanon Partnership, whose PA Community Development Corporation charter allows it to develop Municipal property. Is not turfing supposedly further development of the park fields according to the athletic supporters ? And would Endowment disbursements be based on earnings only on a $250,000 principle ?
Why the Endowment and not the Partnership, John ? The Municipality can control the receipt and disbursement of Partnership funding, but has no control over the Endowment Fund.
I just got off the phone with the author, Phyllis Swebilius. She directed me to this report,
Artificial Turf
Exposures To Ground-Up Rubber Tires
Athletic Fields ■ Playgrounds ■ Gardening Mulch
and this report,
EPA RETRACTS SYNTHETIC TURF SAFETY ASSURANCES
Elaine
In that "EPA RETRACTS SYNTHETIC TURF SAFETY ASSURANCES" report they write--
"“EPA now admits that it has no idea about the extent of chemical exposure to children and athletes playing on these surfaces.”
So tell us Mr. Bendel, Mr. Brumfield, Mr. Franklin are you prepared to experiment with our kids health? Are any of you going to address this issue with the community in our community magazine or website?
Couple the EPA report with other medical reports stating that the crumb rubber pellets have been found in the lungs of young athletes and there may be a real health issue here. I wouldn't want to be associated with it as a proponent or donor.
After all looking out for our kids long-term health-- is "for the kids!"
http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/summary.shtml
"Health endpoints of concern are numerous, including acute irritation of the lungs, skin, and eyes, and chronic irritation of the lung, skin, and eyes. Knowledge is somewhat limited about the effects of semi-volatile chemicals on the kidney, endocrine system, nervous system, cardio vascular system, immune system, developmental effects and the potential to induce cancers.
There are still data gaps that need to be filled in and additional studies are warranted."
Oh yeah, Mr. Bendel I want to play Russian Roulette with my kids health so your sports buddies don't have as many rain outs!
4:56 PM Why would the local youth sports associations, most of whom are already 501(c)(3)'s, want to deposit their "donations" to another 501(c)(3) ? Why would this be necessary ? Because the second 501(c)(3) would be considered an escrow account ?
That report is very scary. Seems to me the use of crumb rubber in any product should be completely banned by the EPA if it's as toxic as the report claims.
Does anyone know what the running track is made from? When I used to run on the track on hot summer days when the new track was installed about 15 years ago, it gave off a horrible chemical smell. I had no idea what it was but after reading the links to those studies I think it could have possibly been the release of volatile organic compounds from the chemicals in the track.
7:18 PM, do you think they might fight over whose 501(c)(3)gets it? And if the donations don't come to fruition, then which group keeps the money already raised? It should all go to the municipality, instead of any sports group. We still don't know what happened to the YSA, do we?
Elaine
The reports I have read insist on children washing their hands after being exposed to the fill. Maybe the SAB should consider an alternate plan and fundraise to get organic fill for the high school turf and forget about any turf at all at Middle and Wildcat. Cut your losses, guys.
Elaine
Elaine, to be fair I would expect anyone to wash their hands and uniform after a sporting event on grass or turf.
But its those tiny pellets and rubber dust that hard-breathing athletes may ingest Into their lungs after a tackle or fall.
All the hand washing in the world won't get rid of those particiles once they work their way deepinto the lungs.
The SAB may argue fertilizers pose the same risk, but its far easier to go to safer fertilizers than it is to get rid of rubber particles.
There is a reason the EPA doesn't want old tires in landfills.
Those little pellets get all over the car. Can't they go in our young athletes' mouths and noses too? Eww.
Mrs. Linfante is no longer on the ESB. Did they kick her off ?
I was at an indoor turf facility recently (Southpointe) and without looking for the pellets, I just happened to notice them on the ground. Are these pellets visible on the high school turf?
I would love for someone from the Sports Advisory Board to weigh in. Dave F.? You are awfully quiet. Chip, don't you have anything to say to us spineless bloggers?
Elaine
Thank goodness they take science seriously in San Fran. This 10 year kid did a project studying run off from turf and revealed that it threatens sea life.
http://todaysgreenminute.com/episode26.htm
I had published a link to the ehhi.org report back in April 23, 2012.
http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2012/04/turf-wars.html
Elaine
Isn't one of our commissioners from San Francisco? Hasn't she heard of Daphnia Magnus?
Is this her ploy to rid the world of water fleas and odocoileus virginianus alike?
I am researching the components of the rubber track, glue and crumb pellets. Possibly some medline publications. Will give you the lo down later.
Thank you, 7:57 AM!
Elaine
Regarding Chip and mindless bloggers.
The EPA and its researchers/scientist aren't mindless bloggers-- what do we have to do-- get them to come to the SAB meetings state their names and present the evidence, otherwise Chip won't believe the report.
Chip reminds me of the impetuous little toddler mesmerized by the dancing flame of the candle on a table and warned not to touch it by an adult he does not know.
But because that toddler is still in the Id stage of development he'll touch it any way. Unfortunately it will be our kids that get burnt.
So why is turf such a pressing issue for the SAB. Mt. Lebanon kids have been performing just fine for decades playing on the natural grass fields we already have.
In fact, we're buying a $74,000 trophy case for the high school athletic wing to memorialize their athletic achievements.
Why is artificial turf such a pressing matter?
9:40 AM, just a clarification. Chip called us spineless bloggers.
Elaine
Maybe there's a reason for that.
4,000 people were ignored when the HS project was petition.
Elaine, that stepped up was sneered and snickered at.
Candidates for public offices were the subject of malicious email campaigns and construction experts were maligned by elected in the press.
Chip showed his colors on tape of his disdain for people that disagree with him.
Mindless, spineless... whatever it doesn't change the warnings in the EPA study.
Apologies to Chip for the error. Indeed it was spineless, not mindless.
I had it wrong.
Is it in the psyche of the SAB they might be wrong and admit or at least study further the health/environment implications of artificial turf.
The Cedar Blvd Realtor's tour could be potentially disrupted by the breaking news that an injured coyote has been spotted in the heart of the community's prospective turf mecca.
See the police blotter for info on how to manage yourself or your child/pet if you encounter this coyote or others.
Please don't tell Kristen about this, though, because we don't want to induce panic. Furthermore, there is no need for a Lebo Alert.
http://mtlebanonpd.org/safety-warning-coyote-sightings/
Gotta ask 4:55...was it a coyote/deer collision ?
4:55 PM, not sure if you are being sarcastic, but it does sound like there is a need for a LeboALERT.
Elaine
Yes, I was being sarcastic about the Lebo Alert! I mean this is a WARNING not a WATCH for an injured animal that the police state might become aggressive toward humans if it can't hunt due to its injury. I'll be 98% of MTL does not know this....
Since Dave squared are lawyers, and are the biggest boosters of turf, I have 2 words for them
"mesothelioma lawsuits"
I remember when asbestos was "harmless" and how it "protected us." Now, anyone linked with it is paying through the nose.
I wonder if commission members who voted for turf could be held liable? (after the turf vendors are sued of course). What about "chumps" who mumble snide comments under their breath at commission meetings? (ok, that may be a far reach)
8:33 - I had the same thought about asbestos... as our high school works to contain and remove the contaminant.
SAB: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".
So all of us should write letters to the commissioners indicating what we know about the human health risks associated with turf, combined with the risks to wildlife/environment through run off, etc., so that everything is documented.
Don't miss the update I added at 10:34 PM tonight. I presented copies of the EPA article printed from the EPA website to the commissioners, manager, and solicitor. It is public record now. Letters will definitely help.
I think payback will be a bitch. They were talking about deer management tonight. Culling came up again.
Elaine
Dave B is an ambulance chaser and a poor one at that. Now he plans on following his little buddy Matt Smith into State politics. God help us ALL! His first priority would be that all fields be turfed. Wonder if he could mandate that all residents purchase Sports Group's raffle tickets and businesses buy signs?
Hey, will advertising revenue from athletic field signage be allocated to the $250,000 pot ? Last I heard, there was only one person or firm who wanted a sign since almost a year after the ordinance was passed. Another failed boondoggle idea from the sports nuts ?
If this EPA issue turns out to be another asbesto-type issue, I wouldn't want to be be a business donor or sponsor that helped make artificial turf happen.
4:13 PM...that won't bother Dave, Dave, John and Chippy. They think they can dodge bullets, are able to leap tall buildings and have free hands to spend OPM !
I watched the SAB meeting and wanted to shed light on an unexpected finding. The volunteer screening process for youth coaches in Mt Lebanon is not uniform. For sports in which Dave Franklin is in a leadership role, if a volunteer clearance comes back with a red flag, he gives coaches the chance to redeem themselves of their previous convictions if they tell the truth about their previous legal troubles. In other words, the standard for coaches is not black and white. Dave, and perhaps, Chip (for his sport) call the shots about who is an upstanding and responsible adult worthy of youth coaching. They just use the clearances as a framework for their interview process.
So thanks to our SAB, parents need to concern themselves not only with whether their children are exposed to toxins on the turf, but also the potential criminal history of their coaches. So glad I watched that meeting -- thanks, Elaine.
*Mr. Franklin reassured his colleagues that the legal troubles usually did not have anything to do with children but represented a garden variety of issues having to do with drugs, DUIs, and disorderly conduct (at least for now).
**But I am not sure Mr. Franklin actually investigated the incidents he has encountered to be sure whether or not children were involved.
I just wanted to let everyone know this spineless blogger spoke with a legal writer that solicits for big things like asbestos, bad hip implants etc. Erin brockovich type stuff!
I got the impression he was very very interested in toxic turf! We exchanged cards. Lets just see how spineless we bloggers are.
Since when does MLTD hire anyone with a criminal conviction??? How low are the ethics going to go???? When I taught in the City Schools, no one was hired with any type of conviction. Period.
10:01 PM, some criminal convictions aren't as bad as other criminal convictions, I guess.
9:09 PM, thanks for taking the time to watch the meeting. I am glad that you picked up on that little gem. I couldn't believe what I was hearing during that discussion.
I wonder what artificial turf abatement will cost MTLSD.
Speaking of the turf at the high school, remember Snowmageddon 2010? Trucks were dumping snow into the stadium. Rumor has it that the weight of the trucks smashed the infrastructure beneath the turf, causing Mt. Lebanon to replace the turf prematurely. Doesn't Mt. Lebanon dump snow down on the fields on Cedar? What will that do to the irrigation system required to cool synthetic turf? Not only are athletes exposed to toxins on plastic grass, they are subjected to high temperatures unless there is a cooling system.
Who is paying for these toxic fields again? Oh, that's right. We are.
Elaine
Ask Chip about that.... There was that little fight at Jefferson during halftime with the ref.
Here are the toxins cited by the EPA as found in artificial turf:
ESB BEWARE!
acetone
aniline
arsenic
barium
benzene
benzothiazole
cadmium
chloroethane
chromium
cobalt
copper
halogenated flame retardants
isoprene
latex
lead
manganese
mercury
methyl ethyl ketone
methyl isobutyl ketone
naphthalene
nickel
nylon
phenol
pigments
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
polyester
rayon
styrene - butadiene
toluene
trichloroethylene
One of the members of the ESB has been against asbestos exposure for many years. I find it hard to believe Pam would let a list of poisons like this pass the ESB.
Pam all of these exposures could subject the municipality to a very expensive lawsuit. Just the legal fees could run into really big bucks.
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