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
