"This project continues to move forward."

That is what Kristen Linfante says about the toxic turf project. In addition to "robbing Peter to pay Paul," the commissioners continue to ignore warnings from doctors. The latest report comes out of Amarillo, TX. Pediatric oncologists are noticing a trend.

Artificial turf may be linked to cancer

AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Artificial turf--it's used everywhere. Football fields, soccer stadiums, playgrounds, they all have it-- but many times we don't give this fake grass, or what's in it, too much thought.

"If it wasn't safe they wouldn't have us playing on it, so I guess I trust my school and my principals and my coaches", said Palo Duro High school student, Malik Allen, who plays soccer and football.

Recently though, some have begun questioning its safety. After Amy Griffin, a soccer coach in Washington state compiled a list of around 30 soccer players who have developed rare types of blood cancer, national attention is now on the issue. Griffin says around 22 of those diagnosed, are goalies. She says they're the players who spend the most time diving onto the turf.

Doctors here in Amarillo say they are noticing a trend as well.

"Over the last three decades the cancer rate in children is increasing and it's quite a bit, it's concerning," said Dr. Turner, a pediatric oncologist at Texas Tech.

But Dr. Turner also says we don't know why this is happening. He says most types of blood cancer are linked to genetics, or certain viruses like epstein bar, but that environmental factors could be contributing as well.

"Benzene," he said, has been shown to cause cancer."

Benzene and Butadiene are both volatile organic compounds, or VOC's, and are used in the production of rubber tires. In large enough quantities, they have been linked to various types of leukemia.

It's not the actual artificial turf grass itself that some think is dangerous, but what they use to fill in the grass to make it softer when athletes fall. It's called "crumb rubber", and it's not just found in stadiums, but also children's playgrounds, like Medi-Park in Amarillo.

But, adds Dr. Turner, "it's hard to tell an association vs. being causal."

The EPA has yet to do a rigorous study on this link and refuses to comment to any news outlets, but studies conducted by the California government showed trace amounts of Benzene and Butadiene in the crumb rubber used in artificial turf.

"I think it'd be money well spent to do the studies to look for any possible association with these products and leukemias and lymphomas," said Dr. Turner.

A study done by the California department of resources and recycling says there is added danger for exposure to Benzene when the crumb rubber is exposed to heat, but that it has not been studied thoroughly enough yet.

A year ago, almost to the day, the commissioners told residents that their preference was organic infill. See Son of a bitch Just like everything else related to this project, that was a lie. Franklin on organic infill.

My message to the Commission back in February compared the turf project to the tobacco industry. They're required to have warning statements on their ads and products.

I had shared this interview of one of our nation's foremost experts on synthetic turf here on Lebo Citizens. David S Brown, Sc.D. is a public health toxicologist. Artificial Turf Fields: A Troubling Perspective 

Two local pediatric groups wrote about toxic turf.
Local pediatric blog writes about tire crumb infill UPDATED

A letter from Edward C. Ketyer, M.D.

The EPA said that more studies are needed. Have they done any more? NO.

Tomorrow, the commissioners will be discussing the toxic turf project during the Commission Discussion Session. They will be confirming Feller's inappropriate approval of change order number 1 and moving money out of one project to pay for this one, which was "only" to be costing taxpayers $750,000.

With all this said, "This project continues to move forward."
                                                       - Kristen Linfante
                                                         Fri, Nov 21, 2014 5:39 pm

A letter from Edward C. Ketyer, M.D.

This letter is reprinted with permission from Edward C. Ketyer, M.D.

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

Kelly Fraasch - on NPR in Philadelphia! UPDATED

Kelly Fraasch was on NPR's WHYY The Pulse in Philadelphia today at 6:00 PM. Could there be a link between artificial turf and cancer? Click on the link. Just under the title of the article is an arrow/play button to the radio broadcast. Way to go, Kelly! [I told you that Mt. Lebanon is getting national attention, Lebo Citizen readers.] 

Below is a segment of the November 8, 2014 rally that took place at Clearview Common in Uptown Mt. Lebanon.



Kelly speaks at the end of the rally and asks residents to contact State Representative Dan Miller, Senator Matt Smith, Congressman Tim Murphy, and City Council Sue Means. As soon as I get that snippet, I will add it to this post.

Unfortunately, Mt. Lebanon residents were unable to get an attorney to file an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board. The Environmental Hearing Board has jurisdiction over appeals of DEP permits. Here is a link to their website: http://ehb.courtapps.com/public/rulesDecisionsAndResources.php.

That website has information regarding the process, however to file an appeal you must register on this website, if you plan to file electronically.  You can also download paper forms and mail them:  ehb.courtapps.com

An aggrieved party typically has 30 days to appeal the issuance or denial of a permit.

The permit was issued October 16. I imagine tomorrow would be the last day to file.

Update November 14, 2014 12:53 PM Letter sent to commissioners.

From:	egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To:	commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Cc:	sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>
Subject:	Another group of local pediatricians speak out against toxic turf
Date:	Fri, Nov 14, 2014 12:52 pm

---

Commissioners,

A second pediatric group is now warning their parents about toxic turf. Pediatrics South just added a post on the dangers of artificial turf on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pediatrics-South/115097255209738 This is in addition to the pediatric group, Pediatric Alliance, I mentioned during Citizen Comments at the November 11, 2014 commission meeting.

In case you missed it, Kelly Fraasch was on NPR in Philadelphia last evening. Here is a link to it and a portion of the rally from November 8.

http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2014/11/kelly-fraasch-on-npr-in-philadelphia.html

Any update on the new costs? Considering you started the project almost four weeks ago, I would think you would know something by now. Personally, you should have known the new cost PRIOR to the start of construction. From your website, we were told that the total cost of the project would be $888,000. See below.

On July 8, 2014, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners awarded the contract to Vasco Sports Contractors for Base Bid 1 - Blended Turf with Thatch Zone with Sand and Rubber Infill ($859,000) 

Add Alternate 6 - Storm Filtration System ($21,000) and 

Add Alternate 9 - Water Fountain ($8,000) 

for a total price of $888,000, subject to: 

a) Receipt of the NPDES permit, 

b) Receipt of $250,000 of non-municipal funds, and 

c) Review and approval of all contract language by the Solicitor and Municipal Manager. 

What a sham!

Elaine Gillen

Update November 14, 2014 3:42 PM Kristen Linfante is more confident than ever about her vote.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kristen Linfante <klinfante@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; <commission@mtlebanon.org> <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Fri, Nov 14, 2014 1:23 pm
Subject: Re: Another group of local pediatricians speak out against toxic turf

Ms Gillen,

I'm so glad you brought this to our attention. Pediatrics South is the practice I use. Of course, I immediately called them to find out where they stand on the issue. This is what I was told. I was told that an "irate" woman has been repeatedly calling their office and demanding that they address the issue because other pediatricians have. They told me that after so many repeated calls by you - I mean by "the woman " - that Dr Tyson said he was NOT willing to make a statement or take a stand on turf, but that to appease the irate caller and to get her to stop calling, he agreed to allow the article to be posted on their Facebook page. That is all. Pediatrics South has not taken a stand against turf. I know Dr Tyson personally, and I feel more confident than ever about my vote.

I would suggest that you stop badgering doctors and allow them to spend their precious time treating patients rather than dealing with calls like the ones you are clearly making.

Kristen Linfante

Commissioner, Ward 3 

Sent from my iPhone

Please forgive any texting typos 

To which I replied with:

From:egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com> To:klinfante <klinfante@mtlebanon.org> Cc:sfeller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>; philip.weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>; commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> Subject:Re: Another group of local pediatricians speak out against toxic turf Date:Fri, Nov 14, 2014 1:28 pm

---

Wow, Kristen. You've really gone too far. I went to school with Scott. He was also my son's pediatrician. I never called his office or any pediatrician's office.

I wish I had the money to sue you. You are as toxic as the turf.

Elaine Gillen

Deer and turf

Over an hour was spent tonight discussing deer during the Commission's Discussion Session. Over. An. Hour.

The PA Game Commission spoke tonight and really took over the discussion. He kept talking about sharp shooting, until finally Steve Feller had to stop him and say that the commission doesn't want sharp shooting. Mr. Game Commission went on to say that we can bow hunt without a permit with the owner's permission. So all the pro-kill people who signed up before the meeting, all written by the same person and spoke before me should be thrilled to hear that. They don't think the commissioners are listening to them even though they have over a thousand signatures for deer culling. Get four thousand signatures, and we'll talk about elected officials not listening, Folks.

Unfortunately, the Game Commissioner ate up all the time and left none for a turf update. Over an hour was spent to discuss $68,000 for deer management and nothing for the over a million dollar project. I had to leave the discussion session several times. The commissioners are willing to do lethal methods of trapping and killing deer, but not sharp shooting. Mr. Game Commissioner said that if we do sterilization, we must also have a deer cull. And it also has to be on public property, a.k.a. parks. According to Mr. Game Commissioner, it appears that the Allegheny County Parks do deer culling. What Mr. G.C. failed to mention is that the County has nine parks, totaling over 12,000 acres. South Park alone is 2013 acres. Guess the size of Mt. Lebanon. 3,840 acres. So let me get this straight. It is OK to bow hunt on your own property without permission from your neighbors. We must shoot on public property (parks). We cannot do sterilization alone. It must be in combination with killing deer. Later tonight, the commissioners were going to vote on bee keeping. Yes, bees. Madness. One pro-kill man thanked Dave Brumfield for doing his research over the misinformation that was said at the last meeting about the supposed dangers of artificial turf. Why not do the same research for deer culling, he asked. HA!

When I got up to speak, I said this:

I sent an email on Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 03:11 PM and a second request today, Tuesday, Nov 11, 2014 01:05 PM concerning the revised cost of the turf project to the commission, Manager Feller, and Gateway engineer, Dan Deiseroth.
My email was short and sweet.

"Based on the required upgrades for stormwater management, the DEP told us that the changes will be quite expensive. What is the new cost of the project? Will the SAB be contributing more funds to cover their 25% obligation?"
Will you please answer my questions?

Do you know what Steve Feller's answer was? Gateway and the municipality don't know and will let me know as soon as they find out. They are looking at cutting costs and even discussing funding. 

OMG. They started the project and have no idea how much it will cost or who will pay for it. 

I went on to say:

Pediatric Alliance St. Clair Office in Pine Bridge Mall, which is made up of pediatricians, recently blogged about the dangers of artificial turf. They mentioned Mt. Lebanon and not in a good way. And they (the pediatricians) aren't misinformed. 

Please recede and reseed Middle and Wildcat Fields

Finally, I wrapped up with something that I saw on MacArthur around 11:30 PM on Election Night. It was a buck with an arrow stuck in its side. I learned tonight that Bethel is bow hunting. I asked if Bethel has an obligation to neighboring communities to contain their hunted deer within their boundaries. It was a very disturbing site to me. The answer? They have no obligation.

Total insanity tonight. I left shortly after I spoke. I didn't even stay for the budget hearing for which I signed up to speak.

Local pediatric blog writes about tire crumb infill UPDATED

The Crumb Rubber Dilemma

Mt. Lebanon is highlighted in the weekly blog of Pediatric Alliance, St. Clair Division, but not in a good way. This will not sway the four commissioners, but I found it comforting knowing that my kids' former pediatricians are blogging about the hazards of artificial turf. Thank you, Doctors!

Update November 11, 2014 7:10 AM I'm having some trouble getting the video that I took uploaded to YouTube. Here is a 17 minute snippet of the November 8, 2014 Anti-Turf Rally.  http://youtu.be/uSMiLruWshA The snippet begins with Dr. Tracy Bank speaking.

Update November 11, 2014 9:56 AM Let's try it again. Here is the 37 minute video that I made. Unfortunately, it isn't from the start of the rally. It is when I started recording it. http://youtu.be/ZbX5wLIa-g0