Dear Mt. Lebanon Commissioners:
On November 7, 2014 I wrote a post on The PediaBlog concerning the worrisome incidence of cancer in young athletes associated with crumb rubber turf playing fields. Alerted to the problem from reports on NBC’s Nightly News, I wrote:
“The list of chemicals and materials in these tire crumbs is extensive and includes some toxic and carcinogenic substances such as arsenic, benzene, lead, mercury, naphthalene, toluene, and many more. Pediatrician Samantha Ahdoot explains why children are so vulnerable to toxic chemicals and pollutants in the environment that kids live and play in:
‘Children are not just little adults. They breathe faster than adults, spend more time outside and have proportionately greater skin surface exposed to the environment, making them increasingly vulnerable to environmental contaminants. Their ongoing development heightens risk of infection, malnutrition, undernourishment and trauma that can cause permanent dysfunction.’”
Noting that many communities around the country are debating the costs and benefits of installing crumb rubber fields – with many areas choosing to go with alternative options – I cited this from the South Hills Almanac:
“Mt. Lebanon commissioners endured a fusillade of criticism at the Oct. 27 meeting, as residents once again took to the microphone to protest the municipality’s installation of artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat fields. Despite the opposition, commissioners steadfastly refused to reconsider the project.”
I find it profoundly disappointing and very hard to believe that the commissioners from such a fine community like Mt. Lebanon would “steadfastly refuse” to respectfully consider (and reconsider) the legitimate health concerns based in medical science of the citizens you represent. I understand the difficult balancing job that your positions as commissioners require – and I recognize that no field (even a natural grass field) is 100% safe. Still, unless you are comfortably deluded, I highly doubt that even you would let your own children play ball on crumb rubber fields – especially as a soccer goalkeeper – when the medical community is reporting a high incidence of cancer associated with these fields. At least it should make you pause for a moment and “steadfastly” reconsider.
I have practiced pediatrics in this community for nearly 25 years. I implore you, on behalf of all my young patients from Mt. Lebanon, and from other communities that may visit yours to play a game, to reconsider constructing crumb rubber playing fields for your children – and all children – to play on.
Sincerely,
Edward C. Ketyer, M.D.
Pediatric Alliance – Chartiers/McMurray Division
Editor, The PediaBlog
9 comments:
Anonymous comments will not be accepted for this post. Comments must include the commenter's real first and last names.
Elaine Gillen
"Anonymous comments will not be accepted for this post."
Excellent! I hope the rational members of this community will set aside their petty sniping and come forward with reasoned arguments - either pro or con.
As one who opposed this project primarily on fiscal and moral grounds, I concede that the opinion of doctors and medical professionals should be taken seriously. Is it possible that artificial turf is "the new asbestos?" I would think that the manufacturers of this stuff would not be so addled as to sell something that they know is carcinogenic. Or perhaps it is simply that they have relied on old and possibly flawed research for reassurance. In any event, I think it would be worth it to wait for additional research to come to light before moving ahead on this project.
I think this is an important posting, and one that needs to be listened to closely, in this sense...
The writer of the letter (the doctor):
Unlike Elaine, has no prior animosity towards any of the commissioners.
Unlike The Newcomers (such as myself) has not been bitten before by decisions made by the commissioners.
Unlike the staunch Republicans, is not targeting the commissioners to revive the Republican party in Mt. Lebanon.
... The doctor is strictly speaking common sense and science: Stop being so damn stubborn and short-sighted, and stop the turf project.
This is truly Mt. Lebanon's "Marlboro Man Moment" -- and if this doesn't get rectified soon, this town will wind up, sadly, like he did.
- Jason Margolis
Elaine,
This is stunning!
Like Mr Gideon, I am more concerned about how our tax dollars are being spent, but I have a couple of questions:
1. Isn't Dr. Ketyer's position a more compelling and a more persuasive argument than the agency report that the project proponents paraded in front of the Commission?
2. Is the school district providing any concerned parents with an alternative option for mandatory school events that may be held on Franklin's field?
3. Where is Matt Kluck? Why is the Republican Party so silent on this matter? Are athletic supporter votes more important than children's health?
On June 12, I sent the following information to the Commission and others regarding the planned "Field Enhancement" forum. When I learned that there was not going to be any information provided to the public about the project from a public health standpoint, I attempted to find a local expert who could speak about the issue.
The following thread link demonstrates the Commission's cavalier attitude and complete dismissal of toxicity concerns by avoiding any honest dialogue about unknown potential health risks to children.
Commissioners, particularly Brumfield and Linfante have claimed multiple times to have "read the studies" and do not believe that there is any reason to change direction.They apparently have no concerns about the potential chemical exposure of the turf to children.
We sure do have one amazing set of Commissioners - not only are they experts in law (as evidenced by the front page of the Almanc's last issue) they are more qualified than MD's and environmental toxicologists when it comes to scientific research.
Thank you, Commissioners, for turning our beautiful park into a toxic waste dump.
-Charlotte Stephenson
http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/search?q=charlotte+stephenson
When contacting the commission, this is the canned response from our commission president.
Elaine Gillen
"Dear ,
Thank you for your email. Upon prompting from another resident yesterday who stated that my own pediatrician has taken a stand against turf (Pediatrics South), I contacted the practice. While Dr Ketyer may be opposed to artificial turf, a large majority of doctors are not, including Pediatrics South. I do not believe that the convictions of one doctor should trump the beliefs of many more who believe otherwise. In addition, I have been facing a series of serious medical issues myself of late. I have spoken with each doctor I've come in contact with over the past several months, and not a single one believes that we made the wrong decision.
Thank you again for expressing your views.
Best regards,
Kristen Linfante
Sent from my iPhone
Please forgive any texting typos"
Kristen,
Please name the doctors you talked with to maintain your credibility.
John Ewing
I sure wouldn't want my kids playing on Franklin's field!
The school district has a moral obligation to give parents the choice of opting-out of any school activities on that terrible turf - and the opt-out needs to come with a credible no retaliation policy.
The use of Franklin's Field should be "Player Beware". Signs similar to those in CA that warn of possible toxic hazards on the premises need to be posted and the school district should mail annual warnings to all school age parents concerning the hazards facing children who use the facility.
Then the parents can choose whether or not they want their kids to use it!
By accepting signed comments only for this post, the four commissioners, Sports Advisory Board, and the rest of the "athletic supporters," showed no backbone for defending their beliefs. Are these your "spineless bloggers," Chip?
I want to thank Dr. Ketyer for contacting the commission. It appears that the commissioners are not budging.
Elaine Gillen
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