Are Valhalla Fields Safe?

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Artificial Turf: Exposures to Ground Up Rubber Tires - Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Garden Mulch

Recently published studies have questioned whether turf fields packed with tire crumbs are safe. Other studies have shown that pressure treated wood contains arsenic and is a cause for concern. Here are some of the findings on these subjects. If your children go to Valhalla Schools you may want to investigate these findings.

Recommendations

  1. There is enough information now concerning the potential health effects from chemicals emanating from rubber tire crumbs to place a moratorium on installing any new fields or playgrounds that use ground-up rubber tires until additional research is undertaken.
  2. Exposures to already installed synthetic turf fields that contain rubber tire crumbs should be limited pending the development of more definitive information.
  3. Synthetic turf fields should not be used on very warm days, as they can become extremely hot, sometimes reaching 140 degrees F.
  4. People who are allergic to latex should be careful when using these fields because rubber tire crumbs might contain excessive amounts of latex.
  5. People who have a history of asthma or other allergic reactions should be careful when using fields containing tire crumb rubber until additional information is available to assure that the released materials will not cause allergic reactions.
  6. When weighing the exposures of children to recycled tire crumb rubber there should be measures to reduce their exposures over time.
  7. The State of Connecticut should consider a detailed analysis of the health and environmental risks from recycled rubber in all its proposed uses.
  8. A detailed epidemiologic study focused on the irritant and the systemic actions of the semivolatile compounds released should be conducted.
  9. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s study shows that ground-up rubber tire mulch increases the potential of zinc toxicity and indicates that it is unsuitable for use in production of nursery plants. Therefore, EHHI is in agreement with this study and others that recommend ground-up rubber tire mulch not be used for gardens.

Should parents be concerned?

EHHI recommends a moratorium on installing new synthetic fields until testing has been completed

Press Release

[North Haven, Connecticut, July 11, 2007] Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI) has been concerned about the number of communities and schools that have, or are in the process of, installing very expensive synthetic fields without any testing of their out-gasing potential or without understanding what the health effects from these fields might be.
The new synthetic fields are made of a synthetic grasslike material to which large amounts of ground up rubber tires are added -- as in-fill. It is the out-gassing from these ground up rubber tire pellets that have been of the greatest concern.

Because of this concern EHHI has asked and paid the CT Agricultural Experiment Station's chemical laboratory to test the out-gasing potential of these rubber tire pellets that go into the fields.

The preliminary report came out today and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station's preliminary testings show that volatile organic compounds are out-gasing from the rubber pellets and that this out-gassing increases as the temperature rises.

As well,  the CT Agricultural Experiment Station has completed a scientific literature review of synthetic fields and the materials that they are made from.   The results of the preliminary testing as well as the literature review demands that additional testing be done on these ground up rubber tire pellets in order to be protective of children's health.

EHHI's Public Health Toxicologist, David Brown, Sc.D. is concerned that some of these organic compounds could effect children's respiratory health as well as having other health effects.

Because of these preliminary findings and until additional testing is completed,  EHHI is recommending that no additional synthetic fields be installed until the additional testing is completed. Synthetic fields are extremely expensive and can cost up to $750,000.  Once these expensive fields are installed. towns and schools will probably not want to remove them no matter what is found.

Are district officials concerned?

It is estimated that there are 11 to 15 pounds of tire crumbs in each square foot of these fields.

Quick Facts

- Synthetic turf materials are made out of plastic and ground up rubber tires -- both of which tend to absorb heat and get much hotter than the air around them.

- Ground up rubber tires are also being sold for use as garden mulch and on playgrounds.

- There has not been enough testing or public health evaluation studies on synthetic turf fields to determine whether some of them pose a health problem for children. There are many important public health questions that should be answered before these expensive synthetic fields are purchased and installed.

 

Editorial

Synthetic Turf

Better Safe Than Sorry:
There is no harm in studying the possible health ramifications of artifical turf made from old tires.

Synthetic Turf

By The Day

[August 8, 2007] Why not err on the side of safety and heed the recommendation of an independent environmental group that has suggested a delay for towns or schools planning to install artificial turf that is made from chopped up tires?

As schools and sports complexes across the country move toward installation of the artificial athletic surfaces, questions have been raised about the possible toxicity of their composition — rubber pellets made from discarded and ground-up tires.

Recent preliminary tests conducted at the state-run Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station showed that volatile organic compounds are being released into the air from the rubber pellets made from groundup tires that form the fill material of the artificial turf.

The independent group Environment and Human Health Inc. commissioned the Vo-Ag Station to do the study after questions about possible health hazards related to the turf were raised. Locally, both Montville High School and Connecticut College have fields made from the questionable rubber pellets.

News that Environment and Human Health was recommending that others planning to install the turf await further study before moving forward has caused outrage among some supporters of the fake turf, who consider it a safer option for athletes because it absorbs impact and helps prevent some injuries better than natural grass.

It's also easier to maintain.

And for many communities, it is a symbol of athletic prestige.

All of that is fine.

But if reputable scientists at a state laboratory reported to Environment and Human Health Inc. that preliminary tests showed a dozen or more organic compounds were evident in testing of the pellets, and suggested more studies be done, why ignore that advice?

The state Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to study the possibility that toxic chemicals from the rubber pellets could seep into groundwater. It is a cautionary measure. And interestingly, support for installation of the artificial turf was spurred in part by new state restrictions on pesticide application on natural turf fields.

In this day and age, there are legitimate concerns about environmental safety. We now know how ordinary things can hurt us. So what is the harm in giving scientists a little more time to figure out what the ground-up tires may or may not be doing to athletes?

Producers say the rubber pellets are inert and harmless. Let's be certain.

from The Day, New London.

 

 

 

Other Risks from Artificial Turf Fields

In addition to the toxins found in an released from the tire crumbs

EHHI's Comments on Synthetic Turf

Synthetic Turf

Click photo to enlarge.

Synthetic turf materials are often made from plastic and ground up rubber tires.

Above: Rubber tire pellets lie between 'blades' of synthetic turf. Below: Rubber tire pellets gathered from synthetic turf field.

Synthetic Turf

Click photo to enlarge.

Organic Grass Turf

- We know that organic grass fields are a safe and healthy place for children to play.

- We know that grass and trees have the ability to cool down an area from heat.

Synthetic Turf

- We know that some synthetic turf materials are made out of plastic and ground up rubber tires -- both of which tend to absorb heat and get much hotter than the air around them. Instead of cooling off an area - as would happen with grass - the plastic and ground up tires cause the synthetic fields to get hotter than the outside air temperature.

- We know that what little testing has been done on synthetic fields shows that some synthetic turf has 7 to 8 times higher levels of some carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than is allowed by government standards.

- We know that the testing that has been done on some synthetic turf shows that it contains lead, arsenic and zinc.

- We know that some synthetic turf is treated with various anti-microbials, which also have their set of health issues.

- We know that there has not been enough testing or public health evaluation studies on synthetic turf fields to determine whether some of them pose a health problem for children. There are many important public health questions that should be answered before these expensive synthetic fields are purchased and installed.

- We know that some of the wealthier communities in Connecticut are responding, in part to the pesticide ban on school grounds, by installing synthetic turf. Instead of providing healthy organic grass-turf for their students to play on, as was and is expected, some communities are responding to the promotions of synthetic turf companies. Citizens of some towns are encouraged to contribute money to help pay for the purchase and installation of the costly synthetic fields.

Until more is known, the precautionary principal should prevail. What we know now is that organic grass fields are both a safe and healthy place on which children can play.

Pressure Treated Wood

EHHI has worked to educate the public to the dangers of arsenic exposures from pressure-treated wood. Common sources of arsenic exposures to children are pressure-treated wood playscapes, sandboxes and picnic tables, as well as soil beneath decks constructed of pressure-treated wood.

Pressure-treated wood, which is widely used in the construction of children's play equipment, picnic tables and decks, contains arsenic and copper. The arsenic in pressure-treated wood leaches out and can cause arsenic exposures which are significant enough to increase one's cancer risk.

Children and adults become exposed to the arsenic in pressurized wood in a variety of ways: inhaling sawdust if it is sawed; breathing in smoke if it is burned; eating vegetables from a garden that is edged by pressure-treated wood; and by hand-to-mouth contact when touching the wood.

project adventure

News from EHHI

Studies indicate Pressure-Treated Wood may impact human health

Environment and Human Health, Inc. warns public that pressure treated wood is a source of arsenic exposure

From News 12 Long Island

(10/15/07) PORT WASHINGTON - The use of artificial turf fields at Long Island schools is growing, yet the jury is still out on whether they put children at risk.

Synthetic turf fields, like the 150 Landtech has sold to schools on the Island, are made with rubber from recycled tires. Grassroots Environmental Education's Doug Wood and other experts claim the used tires contain toxic metals and carcinogenic chemicals, and therefore so do the fields.

"Tires are so full of toxic chemicals they have to be disposed of in a special landfill," Wood said. "So why would you grind them up and put them on a field where kids are going to play?"

Ken Marlborough, athletic director for Port Washington schools, said Landtech assured him the artificial turf it installed was safe. Marlborough said the appeal of the $750,000 surface is its convenience.

"The real benefit I think is that [it] is truly an all-weather surface," he said. "Even in a heavy downpour with[in] a matter of minutes, the field drains and can be ready to play on almost immediately."

Landtech, which declined to speak on camera, said through a spokesperson that studies show the tire crumbs are not harmful.

News 12 Long Island decided to test the claims, taking a sample from the Port Washington field for lab studies. The content levels of heavy metals were within government limits. However, some cancer-causing chemicals were well in excess of state safety levels. Chrysene, for one, was present in amounts more than 1,250 times the safe limits.

Dr. David Carpenter, of Environmental Health and Toxicology, said the state Department of Health should impose a moratorium on the installation of artificial turf fields until enough research proves they are safe.

A prominent New York toxicologist is conducting a study and promises to release her results in the near future.

Pressure-Treated Wood Information

What is Pressure-Treated Wood?

Pressure-treated wood is lumber that has been impregnated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to protect it against insects and deterioration. Copper and arsenic, used together, are old formulas for insecticide treatments. Pressure-treated wood impregnated with CCA, is often used for decks, play-ground equipment, picnic tables, edging of vegetable gardens, and wherever and whenever people try to protect wood structures from decay.

Why should we be concerned about it?

Although CCA does keep wood from rotting, it also poses a health threat to people. Unfortunately, the copper and arsenic does not stay locked up in the lumber, but instead, leaches out. Arsenic is the most toxic component of CCA-treated wood and it is the continuing low level exposures to arsenic that are a concern, especially to children.

The Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station has done many studies on this product and has found that the arsenic leaches out from the CCA-treated wood onto the soil beneath decks and into garden soils and vegetables when used as garden edging. People can inadvertently ingest arsenic when they get it on their hands and even on their food when eating at picnic tables made of CCA-treated wood.

Exposures to arsenic are also being borne by home-owners and professional construction workers when they work with the CCA -treated wood, as breathing the sawdust is another route of arsenic exposure.

Burning CCA-treated wood is yet another problem because, when burned, the wood releases arsenic into the air. The air exposures can be substantial and is the reason why this product is so hard to dispose of.

Children in particular, who are especially vulnerable to toxins in the environment, need to be protected from exposures to CCA -treated wood.