SAN FRANCISCO -Artificial turf made from recycled rubber tires may save water, but there are growing health concerns among parents, activists and now legislators about these athletic fields that could pose a health risk.
Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) will introduce legislation on Wednesday calling for a new, more comprehensive study of crumb rubber synthetic turf amid growing concerns that the material is linked to cancer.This won't stop the toxic turf project on Cedar Blvd. already protested TWICE here in Mt. Lebanon, but may impact the school district's plan to turf the Rock Pile and Franklin's desire to turf Mellon.
Another unhappy camper may be the EPA. According to the EPA's website, the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) Scrap Tire Workgroup formulated an action plan in 2007 to promote increased use of ground rubber made from scrap tires. See pages 7-10.
Calvin Young, Chairman of the RCC, is still selling crumb rubber! Grant Program Overview Tire-Derived Product (TDP) Grant Program The EPA is pushing this through grants as late as August! August 19, 2014 Presentation.
Between exposing children to toxic turf and the possibility of the children witnessing the killing of God's creatures, it is very difficult for me to be in the Holiday spirit. Thank you, Commissioners, for your personal agendas. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.
Update December 20, 2014 11:09 PM Yet another article about turf safety. Here is a bedtime story for you to read, Dave, Kristen, John, and Steve. Scrap Tire Playgrounds Lighten Landfills, But Raise Cancer Fears
In the wake of the recent alarm, some schools and municipalities have canceled plans to install crumb rubber turf. Lawyers, such as Connecticut's Ed Jazlowiecki, who called crumb rubber "the next asbestos," are collecting names for class-action lawsuits. And citizen-advocates are pushing their local governments to change policies.
