2015 REPORT TO KINNELON COUNCIL MEMBERS
RE SYNTHETIC VS NATURAL GRASS TURF FIELDS
This report was compiled as a public service by Avery
Hart based on research by members of Kinnelon Conserves and the Coalition for Safe Green Fields
Salient information is printed in red and green for easy viewing
Contact avery123optonlinenet 973-492-3404
CONTENTS A ndash Standing Warning Sign Ridgefield Cthelliphelliphelliphelliphellip4 B ndash University of Sienna Italyhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip 5 C ndash USA TODAY ndash national newspaperhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip6 D ndash Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliancehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip9 E ndash West Orange News and Observerhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip13 F ndash FOX News and Reuters Newshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip16 G ndash Chemospherehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip18 H ndash NBC News Special Investigationhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip 20 I ndash The Equalizer Womenrsquosrsquo Soccer Newshelliphelliphelliphelliphellip21 J ndash Forbes Magazinehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip23 K ndash Falcon Online Sarasota FLhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip25 Lndash Norwegian Institute for Water Researchhelliphelliphelliphellip 26 M ndash Environment amp Human Health Open Letterhelliphelliphellip28 N ndash Features and Benefits of Natural Grass Fields30-33 O - University of Arkansas Turf Fact Sheet
ADDENDUM You Tube videos
EXHIBIT A
STANDING TURF WARNING SIGN
EXHIBIT B
From the University of Sienna Italy
Release of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals from Rubber Crumb in Synthetic Turf Fields Preliminary Hazard
Assessment for Athletes Letizia Marsili
1 Daniele Coppola
1 Nicola Bianchi
1 Silvia Maltese
1 Massimo Bianchi
2 and Maria Cristina Fossi
1
1Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment Siena University Via Mattioli 4 53100 Siena Italy
2Department of Political Science and International Siena University Via Mattioli 10 53100 Siena Italy
Abstract
Synthetic turf made with an infill of rubber crumb from used tyres or virgin rubber is now common in many sporting facilities It is known that it contains compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals We evaluated in nine samples of rubber crumb the total content of some heavy metals (Zn Cd Pb Cu Cr Ni Fe) normally found in tyres by microwave mineralization and the levels of the 14 US EPA priority PAHs by Soxhlet extraction and HPLC analysis The results showed high levels of PAHs and zinc in all rubber crumb samples compared to rubber granulate limits set by Italian National Amateur League (LND) Following the precautionary principle a risk assessment at 25degC was done using the Average Daily Dose (ADD) assumed by athletes expressed in terms of mass of contaminant per unit of body weight per day (mgkg day) and the Lifetime Average Daily Dose (LADD) and then evaluating the Hazard Index (HI) and the Cumulative Excess Cancer Risk (ΣECR) In the different rubber granulates samples the HI ranges from a minimum of 894times10-7 to a maximum of 116times10-6 while the ΣECR ranges from a minimum of 491times10-9 to a maximum of 110times10-8 The aim of this study was to estimate the ldquohazardrdquo for athletes inhaling PAHs released at the high temperatures this synthetic turf may reach A sequence of proofs was carried out at 60degC a temperature that this rubber crumb can easily reach in sporting installations to see whether PAH release occurs The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of evaporates from rubber crumb represents a major
contribution to the total daily intake of PAHs by different routes
Link to complete study httpomicsonlineorgopen-accessrelease-of-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-and-heavy-metals-from-rubber-crumb-in-synthetic-turf-fields-2161-05251000265phpaid=39265
EXHIBIT C
USA TODAY
March 15 2015
ldquoLead levels high enough to potentially harm children have been found
in artificial turf used at thousands of schools playgrounds and day-care
centers across the country yet two federal agencies continue to promote
the surfacing as safe a USA TODAY analysis shows
The growing use of turf fields layered with rubber crumbs has raised health
concerns centered mostly on whether players face increased risk of injury
skin infection or cancer The US has more than 11000 artificial turf fields
But largely overlooked has been the possible harm to young children from
ingesting lead in turf materials and the federal governments role in
encouraging their use despite doing admittedly limited research on their
health safety
Lead is a well-known childrens hazard that over time can cause lost
intelligence developmental delays and damage to organs and the
nervous system
The Consumer Product Safety Commission charged with protecting
children from lead in consumer products has promoted turf-and-rubber
fields for nearly seven years with a website headline declaring them OK to
install OK to play on A news release says Young children are not at risk
from exposure to lead in these fields even though the commission found
potentially hazardous lead levels in some turf fibers and did not test any
rubber crumbs which are made from recycled tires that contain roughly 30
hazardous substances including lead
The commission has acknowledged shortcomings in its 2008 study
which spokesman Scott Wolfson says was just a handful of fields and was
not representative of the full scope of fields across the country
The Environmental Protection Agency has promoted the use of rubber
crumbs in athletic fields and on playground surfaces since 1995 to help
create markets for recycled car and truck tires But the EPA didnt
investigate the potential toxicity until 2008 and now says in a statement that
more testing needs to be done to determine the materials safety
Were using children as part of the poison squad said Bruce Lanphear
a leading researcher on lead poisoning at Simon Fraser University in
Canada who suggests a moratorium on installing artificial-turf fields
until their safety is proved
The CDC in 2008 said communities should test recreational areas with turf
fibers made from nylon and they should bar children younger than 6 from
the areas if the lead level exceeded the federal limit for lead in soil in
childrens play areas
But some communities have refused to test their fields fearing that a high
lead level would generate lawsuits or force them to replace and remove a
field which costs about $1 million according to a 2011 New Jersey state
report
Forty-five of 50 New Jersey schools and towns contacted in 2009 by
epidemiologist Stuart Shalat would not let him test their turf-and-rubber
fields Shalats report states The EPA also found in 2009 that it was
difficult to obtain access and permission to sample at playgrounds and
synthetic turf fields
If youre exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds
whether its organic compounds or metals youd think youd want to
know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over
your eyes and saying I dont see a problem Shalat said
STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED
Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements which have helped
vastly expand the nations use of artificial turf It now blankets more than
11000 fields from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots and millions
more square feet at resorts office parks and playgrounds according to the
Synthetic Turf Council
There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry the council says
calling turf a durable year-round playing surface that needs no watering
pesticides or fertilizers
The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may
absorb particulates through ingestion inhalation or skin contact
Government and academic studies all have concluded that a turf-and-
rubber field does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages the
council says in a PowerPoint presentation
But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists
warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and
rubber crumbs
The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying
that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only
minimal increased cancer risk The statement actually is from a Rubber
Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report Council
spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was an honest
mistake
Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children
from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs which can be as small as a
pencil tip or as large as a wood chip The studies analyzed a small number of
turf materials
A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider
health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers The study
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
CONTENTS A ndash Standing Warning Sign Ridgefield Cthelliphelliphelliphelliphellip4 B ndash University of Sienna Italyhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip 5 C ndash USA TODAY ndash national newspaperhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip6 D ndash Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliancehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip9 E ndash West Orange News and Observerhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip13 F ndash FOX News and Reuters Newshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip16 G ndash Chemospherehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip18 H ndash NBC News Special Investigationhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip 20 I ndash The Equalizer Womenrsquosrsquo Soccer Newshelliphelliphelliphelliphellip21 J ndash Forbes Magazinehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip23 K ndash Falcon Online Sarasota FLhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip25 Lndash Norwegian Institute for Water Researchhelliphelliphelliphellip 26 M ndash Environment amp Human Health Open Letterhelliphelliphellip28 N ndash Features and Benefits of Natural Grass Fields30-33 O - University of Arkansas Turf Fact Sheet
ADDENDUM You Tube videos
EXHIBIT A
STANDING TURF WARNING SIGN
EXHIBIT B
From the University of Sienna Italy
Release of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals from Rubber Crumb in Synthetic Turf Fields Preliminary Hazard
Assessment for Athletes Letizia Marsili
1 Daniele Coppola
1 Nicola Bianchi
1 Silvia Maltese
1 Massimo Bianchi
2 and Maria Cristina Fossi
1
1Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment Siena University Via Mattioli 4 53100 Siena Italy
2Department of Political Science and International Siena University Via Mattioli 10 53100 Siena Italy
Abstract
Synthetic turf made with an infill of rubber crumb from used tyres or virgin rubber is now common in many sporting facilities It is known that it contains compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals We evaluated in nine samples of rubber crumb the total content of some heavy metals (Zn Cd Pb Cu Cr Ni Fe) normally found in tyres by microwave mineralization and the levels of the 14 US EPA priority PAHs by Soxhlet extraction and HPLC analysis The results showed high levels of PAHs and zinc in all rubber crumb samples compared to rubber granulate limits set by Italian National Amateur League (LND) Following the precautionary principle a risk assessment at 25degC was done using the Average Daily Dose (ADD) assumed by athletes expressed in terms of mass of contaminant per unit of body weight per day (mgkg day) and the Lifetime Average Daily Dose (LADD) and then evaluating the Hazard Index (HI) and the Cumulative Excess Cancer Risk (ΣECR) In the different rubber granulates samples the HI ranges from a minimum of 894times10-7 to a maximum of 116times10-6 while the ΣECR ranges from a minimum of 491times10-9 to a maximum of 110times10-8 The aim of this study was to estimate the ldquohazardrdquo for athletes inhaling PAHs released at the high temperatures this synthetic turf may reach A sequence of proofs was carried out at 60degC a temperature that this rubber crumb can easily reach in sporting installations to see whether PAH release occurs The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of evaporates from rubber crumb represents a major
contribution to the total daily intake of PAHs by different routes
Link to complete study httpomicsonlineorgopen-accessrelease-of-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-and-heavy-metals-from-rubber-crumb-in-synthetic-turf-fields-2161-05251000265phpaid=39265
EXHIBIT C
USA TODAY
March 15 2015
ldquoLead levels high enough to potentially harm children have been found
in artificial turf used at thousands of schools playgrounds and day-care
centers across the country yet two federal agencies continue to promote
the surfacing as safe a USA TODAY analysis shows
The growing use of turf fields layered with rubber crumbs has raised health
concerns centered mostly on whether players face increased risk of injury
skin infection or cancer The US has more than 11000 artificial turf fields
But largely overlooked has been the possible harm to young children from
ingesting lead in turf materials and the federal governments role in
encouraging their use despite doing admittedly limited research on their
health safety
Lead is a well-known childrens hazard that over time can cause lost
intelligence developmental delays and damage to organs and the
nervous system
The Consumer Product Safety Commission charged with protecting
children from lead in consumer products has promoted turf-and-rubber
fields for nearly seven years with a website headline declaring them OK to
install OK to play on A news release says Young children are not at risk
from exposure to lead in these fields even though the commission found
potentially hazardous lead levels in some turf fibers and did not test any
rubber crumbs which are made from recycled tires that contain roughly 30
hazardous substances including lead
The commission has acknowledged shortcomings in its 2008 study
which spokesman Scott Wolfson says was just a handful of fields and was
not representative of the full scope of fields across the country
The Environmental Protection Agency has promoted the use of rubber
crumbs in athletic fields and on playground surfaces since 1995 to help
create markets for recycled car and truck tires But the EPA didnt
investigate the potential toxicity until 2008 and now says in a statement that
more testing needs to be done to determine the materials safety
Were using children as part of the poison squad said Bruce Lanphear
a leading researcher on lead poisoning at Simon Fraser University in
Canada who suggests a moratorium on installing artificial-turf fields
until their safety is proved
The CDC in 2008 said communities should test recreational areas with turf
fibers made from nylon and they should bar children younger than 6 from
the areas if the lead level exceeded the federal limit for lead in soil in
childrens play areas
But some communities have refused to test their fields fearing that a high
lead level would generate lawsuits or force them to replace and remove a
field which costs about $1 million according to a 2011 New Jersey state
report
Forty-five of 50 New Jersey schools and towns contacted in 2009 by
epidemiologist Stuart Shalat would not let him test their turf-and-rubber
fields Shalats report states The EPA also found in 2009 that it was
difficult to obtain access and permission to sample at playgrounds and
synthetic turf fields
If youre exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds
whether its organic compounds or metals youd think youd want to
know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over
your eyes and saying I dont see a problem Shalat said
STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED
Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements which have helped
vastly expand the nations use of artificial turf It now blankets more than
11000 fields from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots and millions
more square feet at resorts office parks and playgrounds according to the
Synthetic Turf Council
There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry the council says
calling turf a durable year-round playing surface that needs no watering
pesticides or fertilizers
The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may
absorb particulates through ingestion inhalation or skin contact
Government and academic studies all have concluded that a turf-and-
rubber field does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages the
council says in a PowerPoint presentation
But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists
warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and
rubber crumbs
The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying
that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only
minimal increased cancer risk The statement actually is from a Rubber
Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report Council
spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was an honest
mistake
Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children
from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs which can be as small as a
pencil tip or as large as a wood chip The studies analyzed a small number of
turf materials
A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider
health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers The study
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT A
STANDING TURF WARNING SIGN
EXHIBIT B
From the University of Sienna Italy
Release of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals from Rubber Crumb in Synthetic Turf Fields Preliminary Hazard
Assessment for Athletes Letizia Marsili
1 Daniele Coppola
1 Nicola Bianchi
1 Silvia Maltese
1 Massimo Bianchi
2 and Maria Cristina Fossi
1
1Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment Siena University Via Mattioli 4 53100 Siena Italy
2Department of Political Science and International Siena University Via Mattioli 10 53100 Siena Italy
Abstract
Synthetic turf made with an infill of rubber crumb from used tyres or virgin rubber is now common in many sporting facilities It is known that it contains compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals We evaluated in nine samples of rubber crumb the total content of some heavy metals (Zn Cd Pb Cu Cr Ni Fe) normally found in tyres by microwave mineralization and the levels of the 14 US EPA priority PAHs by Soxhlet extraction and HPLC analysis The results showed high levels of PAHs and zinc in all rubber crumb samples compared to rubber granulate limits set by Italian National Amateur League (LND) Following the precautionary principle a risk assessment at 25degC was done using the Average Daily Dose (ADD) assumed by athletes expressed in terms of mass of contaminant per unit of body weight per day (mgkg day) and the Lifetime Average Daily Dose (LADD) and then evaluating the Hazard Index (HI) and the Cumulative Excess Cancer Risk (ΣECR) In the different rubber granulates samples the HI ranges from a minimum of 894times10-7 to a maximum of 116times10-6 while the ΣECR ranges from a minimum of 491times10-9 to a maximum of 110times10-8 The aim of this study was to estimate the ldquohazardrdquo for athletes inhaling PAHs released at the high temperatures this synthetic turf may reach A sequence of proofs was carried out at 60degC a temperature that this rubber crumb can easily reach in sporting installations to see whether PAH release occurs The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of evaporates from rubber crumb represents a major
contribution to the total daily intake of PAHs by different routes
Link to complete study httpomicsonlineorgopen-accessrelease-of-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-and-heavy-metals-from-rubber-crumb-in-synthetic-turf-fields-2161-05251000265phpaid=39265
EXHIBIT C
USA TODAY
March 15 2015
ldquoLead levels high enough to potentially harm children have been found
in artificial turf used at thousands of schools playgrounds and day-care
centers across the country yet two federal agencies continue to promote
the surfacing as safe a USA TODAY analysis shows
The growing use of turf fields layered with rubber crumbs has raised health
concerns centered mostly on whether players face increased risk of injury
skin infection or cancer The US has more than 11000 artificial turf fields
But largely overlooked has been the possible harm to young children from
ingesting lead in turf materials and the federal governments role in
encouraging their use despite doing admittedly limited research on their
health safety
Lead is a well-known childrens hazard that over time can cause lost
intelligence developmental delays and damage to organs and the
nervous system
The Consumer Product Safety Commission charged with protecting
children from lead in consumer products has promoted turf-and-rubber
fields for nearly seven years with a website headline declaring them OK to
install OK to play on A news release says Young children are not at risk
from exposure to lead in these fields even though the commission found
potentially hazardous lead levels in some turf fibers and did not test any
rubber crumbs which are made from recycled tires that contain roughly 30
hazardous substances including lead
The commission has acknowledged shortcomings in its 2008 study
which spokesman Scott Wolfson says was just a handful of fields and was
not representative of the full scope of fields across the country
The Environmental Protection Agency has promoted the use of rubber
crumbs in athletic fields and on playground surfaces since 1995 to help
create markets for recycled car and truck tires But the EPA didnt
investigate the potential toxicity until 2008 and now says in a statement that
more testing needs to be done to determine the materials safety
Were using children as part of the poison squad said Bruce Lanphear
a leading researcher on lead poisoning at Simon Fraser University in
Canada who suggests a moratorium on installing artificial-turf fields
until their safety is proved
The CDC in 2008 said communities should test recreational areas with turf
fibers made from nylon and they should bar children younger than 6 from
the areas if the lead level exceeded the federal limit for lead in soil in
childrens play areas
But some communities have refused to test their fields fearing that a high
lead level would generate lawsuits or force them to replace and remove a
field which costs about $1 million according to a 2011 New Jersey state
report
Forty-five of 50 New Jersey schools and towns contacted in 2009 by
epidemiologist Stuart Shalat would not let him test their turf-and-rubber
fields Shalats report states The EPA also found in 2009 that it was
difficult to obtain access and permission to sample at playgrounds and
synthetic turf fields
If youre exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds
whether its organic compounds or metals youd think youd want to
know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over
your eyes and saying I dont see a problem Shalat said
STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED
Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements which have helped
vastly expand the nations use of artificial turf It now blankets more than
11000 fields from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots and millions
more square feet at resorts office parks and playgrounds according to the
Synthetic Turf Council
There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry the council says
calling turf a durable year-round playing surface that needs no watering
pesticides or fertilizers
The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may
absorb particulates through ingestion inhalation or skin contact
Government and academic studies all have concluded that a turf-and-
rubber field does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages the
council says in a PowerPoint presentation
But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists
warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and
rubber crumbs
The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying
that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only
minimal increased cancer risk The statement actually is from a Rubber
Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report Council
spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was an honest
mistake
Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children
from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs which can be as small as a
pencil tip or as large as a wood chip The studies analyzed a small number of
turf materials
A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider
health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers The study
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT B
From the University of Sienna Italy
Release of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals from Rubber Crumb in Synthetic Turf Fields Preliminary Hazard
Assessment for Athletes Letizia Marsili
1 Daniele Coppola
1 Nicola Bianchi
1 Silvia Maltese
1 Massimo Bianchi
2 and Maria Cristina Fossi
1
1Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment Siena University Via Mattioli 4 53100 Siena Italy
2Department of Political Science and International Siena University Via Mattioli 10 53100 Siena Italy
Abstract
Synthetic turf made with an infill of rubber crumb from used tyres or virgin rubber is now common in many sporting facilities It is known that it contains compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals We evaluated in nine samples of rubber crumb the total content of some heavy metals (Zn Cd Pb Cu Cr Ni Fe) normally found in tyres by microwave mineralization and the levels of the 14 US EPA priority PAHs by Soxhlet extraction and HPLC analysis The results showed high levels of PAHs and zinc in all rubber crumb samples compared to rubber granulate limits set by Italian National Amateur League (LND) Following the precautionary principle a risk assessment at 25degC was done using the Average Daily Dose (ADD) assumed by athletes expressed in terms of mass of contaminant per unit of body weight per day (mgkg day) and the Lifetime Average Daily Dose (LADD) and then evaluating the Hazard Index (HI) and the Cumulative Excess Cancer Risk (ΣECR) In the different rubber granulates samples the HI ranges from a minimum of 894times10-7 to a maximum of 116times10-6 while the ΣECR ranges from a minimum of 491times10-9 to a maximum of 110times10-8 The aim of this study was to estimate the ldquohazardrdquo for athletes inhaling PAHs released at the high temperatures this synthetic turf may reach A sequence of proofs was carried out at 60degC a temperature that this rubber crumb can easily reach in sporting installations to see whether PAH release occurs The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of evaporates from rubber crumb represents a major
contribution to the total daily intake of PAHs by different routes
Link to complete study httpomicsonlineorgopen-accessrelease-of-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-and-heavy-metals-from-rubber-crumb-in-synthetic-turf-fields-2161-05251000265phpaid=39265
EXHIBIT C
USA TODAY
March 15 2015
ldquoLead levels high enough to potentially harm children have been found
in artificial turf used at thousands of schools playgrounds and day-care
centers across the country yet two federal agencies continue to promote
the surfacing as safe a USA TODAY analysis shows
The growing use of turf fields layered with rubber crumbs has raised health
concerns centered mostly on whether players face increased risk of injury
skin infection or cancer The US has more than 11000 artificial turf fields
But largely overlooked has been the possible harm to young children from
ingesting lead in turf materials and the federal governments role in
encouraging their use despite doing admittedly limited research on their
health safety
Lead is a well-known childrens hazard that over time can cause lost
intelligence developmental delays and damage to organs and the
nervous system
The Consumer Product Safety Commission charged with protecting
children from lead in consumer products has promoted turf-and-rubber
fields for nearly seven years with a website headline declaring them OK to
install OK to play on A news release says Young children are not at risk
from exposure to lead in these fields even though the commission found
potentially hazardous lead levels in some turf fibers and did not test any
rubber crumbs which are made from recycled tires that contain roughly 30
hazardous substances including lead
The commission has acknowledged shortcomings in its 2008 study
which spokesman Scott Wolfson says was just a handful of fields and was
not representative of the full scope of fields across the country
The Environmental Protection Agency has promoted the use of rubber
crumbs in athletic fields and on playground surfaces since 1995 to help
create markets for recycled car and truck tires But the EPA didnt
investigate the potential toxicity until 2008 and now says in a statement that
more testing needs to be done to determine the materials safety
Were using children as part of the poison squad said Bruce Lanphear
a leading researcher on lead poisoning at Simon Fraser University in
Canada who suggests a moratorium on installing artificial-turf fields
until their safety is proved
The CDC in 2008 said communities should test recreational areas with turf
fibers made from nylon and they should bar children younger than 6 from
the areas if the lead level exceeded the federal limit for lead in soil in
childrens play areas
But some communities have refused to test their fields fearing that a high
lead level would generate lawsuits or force them to replace and remove a
field which costs about $1 million according to a 2011 New Jersey state
report
Forty-five of 50 New Jersey schools and towns contacted in 2009 by
epidemiologist Stuart Shalat would not let him test their turf-and-rubber
fields Shalats report states The EPA also found in 2009 that it was
difficult to obtain access and permission to sample at playgrounds and
synthetic turf fields
If youre exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds
whether its organic compounds or metals youd think youd want to
know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over
your eyes and saying I dont see a problem Shalat said
STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED
Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements which have helped
vastly expand the nations use of artificial turf It now blankets more than
11000 fields from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots and millions
more square feet at resorts office parks and playgrounds according to the
Synthetic Turf Council
There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry the council says
calling turf a durable year-round playing surface that needs no watering
pesticides or fertilizers
The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may
absorb particulates through ingestion inhalation or skin contact
Government and academic studies all have concluded that a turf-and-
rubber field does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages the
council says in a PowerPoint presentation
But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists
warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and
rubber crumbs
The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying
that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only
minimal increased cancer risk The statement actually is from a Rubber
Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report Council
spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was an honest
mistake
Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children
from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs which can be as small as a
pencil tip or as large as a wood chip The studies analyzed a small number of
turf materials
A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider
health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers The study
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
contribution to the total daily intake of PAHs by different routes
Link to complete study httpomicsonlineorgopen-accessrelease-of-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-and-heavy-metals-from-rubber-crumb-in-synthetic-turf-fields-2161-05251000265phpaid=39265
EXHIBIT C
USA TODAY
March 15 2015
ldquoLead levels high enough to potentially harm children have been found
in artificial turf used at thousands of schools playgrounds and day-care
centers across the country yet two federal agencies continue to promote
the surfacing as safe a USA TODAY analysis shows
The growing use of turf fields layered with rubber crumbs has raised health
concerns centered mostly on whether players face increased risk of injury
skin infection or cancer The US has more than 11000 artificial turf fields
But largely overlooked has been the possible harm to young children from
ingesting lead in turf materials and the federal governments role in
encouraging their use despite doing admittedly limited research on their
health safety
Lead is a well-known childrens hazard that over time can cause lost
intelligence developmental delays and damage to organs and the
nervous system
The Consumer Product Safety Commission charged with protecting
children from lead in consumer products has promoted turf-and-rubber
fields for nearly seven years with a website headline declaring them OK to
install OK to play on A news release says Young children are not at risk
from exposure to lead in these fields even though the commission found
potentially hazardous lead levels in some turf fibers and did not test any
rubber crumbs which are made from recycled tires that contain roughly 30
hazardous substances including lead
The commission has acknowledged shortcomings in its 2008 study
which spokesman Scott Wolfson says was just a handful of fields and was
not representative of the full scope of fields across the country
The Environmental Protection Agency has promoted the use of rubber
crumbs in athletic fields and on playground surfaces since 1995 to help
create markets for recycled car and truck tires But the EPA didnt
investigate the potential toxicity until 2008 and now says in a statement that
more testing needs to be done to determine the materials safety
Were using children as part of the poison squad said Bruce Lanphear
a leading researcher on lead poisoning at Simon Fraser University in
Canada who suggests a moratorium on installing artificial-turf fields
until their safety is proved
The CDC in 2008 said communities should test recreational areas with turf
fibers made from nylon and they should bar children younger than 6 from
the areas if the lead level exceeded the federal limit for lead in soil in
childrens play areas
But some communities have refused to test their fields fearing that a high
lead level would generate lawsuits or force them to replace and remove a
field which costs about $1 million according to a 2011 New Jersey state
report
Forty-five of 50 New Jersey schools and towns contacted in 2009 by
epidemiologist Stuart Shalat would not let him test their turf-and-rubber
fields Shalats report states The EPA also found in 2009 that it was
difficult to obtain access and permission to sample at playgrounds and
synthetic turf fields
If youre exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds
whether its organic compounds or metals youd think youd want to
know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over
your eyes and saying I dont see a problem Shalat said
STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED
Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements which have helped
vastly expand the nations use of artificial turf It now blankets more than
11000 fields from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots and millions
more square feet at resorts office parks and playgrounds according to the
Synthetic Turf Council
There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry the council says
calling turf a durable year-round playing surface that needs no watering
pesticides or fertilizers
The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may
absorb particulates through ingestion inhalation or skin contact
Government and academic studies all have concluded that a turf-and-
rubber field does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages the
council says in a PowerPoint presentation
But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists
warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and
rubber crumbs
The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying
that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only
minimal increased cancer risk The statement actually is from a Rubber
Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report Council
spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was an honest
mistake
Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children
from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs which can be as small as a
pencil tip or as large as a wood chip The studies analyzed a small number of
turf materials
A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider
health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers The study
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
The Consumer Product Safety Commission charged with protecting
children from lead in consumer products has promoted turf-and-rubber
fields for nearly seven years with a website headline declaring them OK to
install OK to play on A news release says Young children are not at risk
from exposure to lead in these fields even though the commission found
potentially hazardous lead levels in some turf fibers and did not test any
rubber crumbs which are made from recycled tires that contain roughly 30
hazardous substances including lead
The commission has acknowledged shortcomings in its 2008 study
which spokesman Scott Wolfson says was just a handful of fields and was
not representative of the full scope of fields across the country
The Environmental Protection Agency has promoted the use of rubber
crumbs in athletic fields and on playground surfaces since 1995 to help
create markets for recycled car and truck tires But the EPA didnt
investigate the potential toxicity until 2008 and now says in a statement that
more testing needs to be done to determine the materials safety
Were using children as part of the poison squad said Bruce Lanphear
a leading researcher on lead poisoning at Simon Fraser University in
Canada who suggests a moratorium on installing artificial-turf fields
until their safety is proved
The CDC in 2008 said communities should test recreational areas with turf
fibers made from nylon and they should bar children younger than 6 from
the areas if the lead level exceeded the federal limit for lead in soil in
childrens play areas
But some communities have refused to test their fields fearing that a high
lead level would generate lawsuits or force them to replace and remove a
field which costs about $1 million according to a 2011 New Jersey state
report
Forty-five of 50 New Jersey schools and towns contacted in 2009 by
epidemiologist Stuart Shalat would not let him test their turf-and-rubber
fields Shalats report states The EPA also found in 2009 that it was
difficult to obtain access and permission to sample at playgrounds and
synthetic turf fields
If youre exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds
whether its organic compounds or metals youd think youd want to
know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over
your eyes and saying I dont see a problem Shalat said
STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED
Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements which have helped
vastly expand the nations use of artificial turf It now blankets more than
11000 fields from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots and millions
more square feet at resorts office parks and playgrounds according to the
Synthetic Turf Council
There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry the council says
calling turf a durable year-round playing surface that needs no watering
pesticides or fertilizers
The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may
absorb particulates through ingestion inhalation or skin contact
Government and academic studies all have concluded that a turf-and-
rubber field does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages the
council says in a PowerPoint presentation
But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists
warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and
rubber crumbs
The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying
that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only
minimal increased cancer risk The statement actually is from a Rubber
Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report Council
spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was an honest
mistake
Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children
from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs which can be as small as a
pencil tip or as large as a wood chip The studies analyzed a small number of
turf materials
A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider
health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers The study
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
If youre exposing children to some potentially harmful compounds
whether its organic compounds or metals youd think youd want to
know so you can take some action instead of putting your hands over
your eyes and saying I dont see a problem Shalat said
STUDIES ON RISKS WIDELY DEBATED
Industry groups have touted the federal endorsements which have helped
vastly expand the nations use of artificial turf It now blankets more than
11000 fields from NFL stadiums to elementary-school plots and millions
more square feet at resorts office parks and playgrounds according to the
Synthetic Turf Council
There is tremendous growth in all sectors of the industry the council says
calling turf a durable year-round playing surface that needs no watering
pesticides or fertilizers
The council says turf materials are safe for people of all ages who may
absorb particulates through ingestion inhalation or skin contact
Government and academic studies all have concluded that a turf-and-
rubber field does not pose a human health risk to people of all ages the
council says in a PowerPoint presentation
But the council mischaracterizes some studies and ignores scientists
warnings about children possibly ingesting lead in turf fibers and
rubber crumbs
The council quotes a supposed statement in a 2002 EPA report saying
that children who play for years on turf-and-rubber fields face only
minimal increased cancer risk The statement actually is from a Rubber
Manufacturers Association report and is not in the EPA report Council
spokeswoman Terrie Ward said the inaccuracy was an honest
mistake
Only a few studies have investigated the possible harm to young children
from ingesting turf fibers or rubber crumbs which can be as small as a
pencil tip or as large as a wood chip The studies analyzed a small number of
turf materials
A widely cited study by California officials in 2007 did not consider
health effects of children ingesting rubber crumbs or turf fibers The study
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
analyzed three playground surfaces made of crumbs fused into a solid
rubberized surface and found negligible risk from children ingesting rubber
dust that might get on their hands or from swallowing a rubber chunk once
in their lifetimes
Research consistently supports the safety of recycled crumb rubber said
Mark Oldfield a spokesman for the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery Nonetheless the department is planning a new
study on health effects of artificial turf and crumb rubber that will look at
children ingesting crumb material chronically
Connecticut state toxicologist Gary Ginsberg says turf materials would not
be a major source of lead for young children given the limited amount of
time they spend on a field or playground
Others are worried The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
in January stopped giving communities money to build playgrounds and
fields with crumb rubber There are no large-scale national studies on the
possible health issues associated with inhalation ingestion or contact the
department said Research to date has been inconclusive contradictory or
limited in scope
CDC No safe lead level in children
At least 10 studies since 2007 mdash including those by the safety commission
and the EPA mdash have found potentially harmful lead levels in turf fibers
and in rubber crumbs USA TODAY found
Read the entire article at
httpwwwusatodaycomstorynews20150315artificial-turf-health-safety-studies24727111
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT D
Lehigh Valley Sustainability Alliance
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic
Turf
March 12 2015 The following appeared in the Lehigh Valley press
Express-Times and Morning Call
TO Schools and municipalities considering synthetic turf
In the last couple of years considerable evidence has emerged that indicates that synthetic turf is a serious health concern The EPA even took the unusual step of withdrawing their assurances and called for new studies Environment amp Human Health has called for a moratorium on any new fields until the health and environmental concerns are resolved So this is a bad time to proceed with such installations and we urge you to reconsider or defer action
First of all most decision-makers do not have reliable information about synthetic turf They hear rumors about health concerns but are assured by the synthetic turf marketers that it is entirely safe (Unfortunately the information provided by synthetic turf companies is often incomplete misleading or incorrect)
To assist those faced with making decisions on the pros amp cons of installing synthetic turf I am working this semester with a Lehigh University student (who also plays lacrosse for Lehigh) to compile and analyze what is now known about synthetic turf We are assembling reliable information on costs health and environmental concerns and recommended operational policies and practices to protect public health and safety At this point there are few absolute answers but many reasons to be cautious In addition to a reported link to lymphomamdasha serious blood cancermdashother known health and safety concerns include the following
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
Infill materials involving lsquocrumb rubberrsquo contain a variety of compounds that are known to be harmful These include black carbon poly-aromatic hydrocarbons [PAH] amp volatile organic compounds [VOC] and phenols all of which are known to have serious health impacts mdash and release of these compounds is heightened in warm weather In addition lead zinc and other hazardous metals such as selenium and cadmium are present in some infill materials and can leach from the fields and affect those who use them mdash and pollute air and water as well Release of these compounds is heightened by warm conditions
Playing area temperatures in the summer can be dangerous Brigham Young University recorded surface temperatures over 150degF (~65degC) far above a safe surface temperature of 120degF (~49degC) These temperatures validate concerns about heat stress or heat stroke and add the possibility of burns from contact with the surface
Modern synthetic turf causes serious lsquoturf burnsrsquo for athletesmdashif not treated immediately amp properly these burns can lead to permanent scarring and serious infection including antibiotic-resistant staph infections such as MRSA [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
Contact with fine particles from the infill material can produce severe irritation of the respiratory system eyes skin and mucous membranes in addition to systemic effects on the liver and kidneys When this dust becomes airborne it can also affect spectators and others who happen to be near
Infill material is known to contain toxins carcinogens teratogens and endocrine disruptorsmdashand those who use the field often inhale and ingest particles of the infill material or absorb the toxins from skin contactmdashespecially if the skin surface is broken by even minor turf burns
Because synthetic turf is flammable it is often treated with flame retardants These are known to cause reproductive disorders birth defects infertility and developmental disorders
Synthetic Turf also has global warming impacts with average emissions estimated at about 55 tons per year over a 10-year life compared to a -10 impact from natural turf
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
Since it is clear that installing synthetic turf may present serious risks to human health and the environment the precautionary principle requires us to defer such action
If it is decided to proceed with synthetic turf fields despite the known hazards we think it is extremely important to consider the following
1 Because of the many serious concerns associated with crumb rubber infill we urge rejection of any proposals that use crumb rubber infill or other rubber componds including lsquoNike Grindrsquo
2 Because public fields will likely be used by leagues informal groups and members of the general publicmdashincluding childrenmdashit is essential to make sure users and parents have clear information about the health hazards and how to protect their health This may require clear signage and warnings
3 To protect public safety in the summer the fields should be closed whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level This means not only preventing organized games but making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface
4 Because vendors have been known to exaggerate cost savings they should be required to provide detailed written information to back up any claims about health safety or reduced maintenance require-ments or costs For example some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be higher than natural turf (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing) Ongoing costs may include the need to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children and specialized training for EMS personnel [Also see Turf Burns ndash Treatment page]
5 In many or most cases synthetic turf lsquovendorsrsquo act as brokers contracting with other parties to provide design services manufacture the turf deliver the infill material and install the drainage systems and turf This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
6 As of March 2015 at least four law firms have announced the intention to file class-action lawsuits on behalf of children and others exposed to synthetic turf
References
1 lsquoHow Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays Onrsquo (NBC News 8 October 2014) 2 lsquoAre artificial turf fields carcinogeniclsquo (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS November 2013) 3 lsquoToxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer reportrsquo (Soccer Wire 14 November 2014) 4 lsquoBe Aware of Artificial Turf Hazardsrsquo fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council) 5 lsquoWhat to Know About Artificial Turf Fieldsrsquo fact sheet (Mt Sinai Childrenrsquos Environmental
Health Center 2011) 6 Recommendations for Use] (EHHI 2007) [link to Full Report] 7 Natural Grass and Artificial Turf Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)
[Note This informative booklet comes from the Turfgrass Producers association so it may reflect
some bias We will be reviewing their claims and calculations in detail but have not yet had time
to do so][If you have questionsemail turfsustainlvorg]
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
Exhibit E
West Orange News and Observer
West Orange Highrsquos turf field deemed
unplayable By Steven Ryzewski on March 19 2015
The turf field at West Orange High School is taped off following its being
deemed as unplayable
To donate to help replace the synthetic turf field at West Orange High
School click HEREmdash
Editorrsquos note This story was originally published on March 19 and has been updated on March 20 at 1030 am
WINTER GARDEN mdash The synthetic turf field at West Orange High School
has been deemed unplayable athletic director Adam Miller confirmed to the
West Orange Times amp Observer on March 19
The field which was installed in 2007 was due for a replacement but the
school has been having trouble raising the necessary funds and had called on
the community to help pitch in
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
According to Miller a representative had come to inspect the field in
December after which time the school made some fixes to try and keep the
field playable A different representative came in late February to check up
on the field and on March 19 it was relayed to Miller and his staff that the
field no longer meets ASTM standards and is unplayable
The unplayable distinction means that until the field is replaced no further
events can take place on it mdash including boys and girls lacrosse as well as
girls flag football which are all currently in season
Boys lacrosse will not be impacted as they had already played their final
home game The girls team however will have to play its final home game
mdash scheduled for March 31 against Wekiva mdash at Wekiva instead of on
Raymond Screws Field
As for flag football which just recently began its regular season Miller said
the school is looking into utilizing an auxiliary field that is often used by the
band for practice as well as the West Orange Bobcats youth football team
and is located between the varsity baseball field and the schoolrsquos ninth grade
center
Varsity programs affiliated with the school are not the only ones effected
though
The Orlando Rage a non-profit minor league football team which competes
in the Florida Football Alliance rents out Raymond Screws Field as its
home field and has home games scheduled for March 28 April 11 and April
18 that will need to be relocated
The Central Florida Youth Football League which has a spring season for
its players also had plans to utilize the facility on the weekends for games
West Orangersquos varsity football program is scheduled to host Gainesville on
May 29 for its spring game If the field is not replaced by then it is likely
that game will have to be cancelled or else relocated On Thursday Miller
expressed confidence in the West Orange community that a replacement
field will be purchased and installed in time for the spring Miller confirmed
on Thursday that the school needs donations totaling $232000 to secure a
replacement
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT F
FOX NEWS and REUTERS NEWS
httpwwwfoxnewscomhealth20120430football-knee-injuries-likelier-on-artificial-turf-than-grass
Football knee injuries likelier on artificial turf than grass Published April 30 2012 Reuters Facebook Twit ter li vefyr e Email
(iStock)
College football players suffer knee injuries about 40 percent more often when playing on an artificial surface compared to when theyre playing on grass according to a new study
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
We thought it was interesting because many universities are switching to the new generation artificial turf said Dr Jason Dragoo the studys lead author and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine
ADVERTISEMENT This doesnt say theres conclusive evidence that turf increases the injury rate but maybe we can say its not as safe as we thought it was Dragoo told Reuters Health
The findings published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine were part of a study looking back on knee injuries among college football players to see when they might be most vulnerable to getting hurt
Dragoo and his colleagues note in their report that football is the leading cause of sports-related injuries in the US
The bottom line is anything we can get from these statistics will help us understand why players are getting these injuries and what we can do about it Dragoo said
The research team examined cases of tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee that were reported to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System
The surveillance system includes about 10 percent of schools in the NCAA and the study period spanned the 2004-2009 playing seasons
Dragoos group found 318 injuries to the ACL during those seasons which translated to a rate of 14 injuries for every 100000 exposures Each time a player practiced scrimmaged or played a game was counted as one exposure
ACL injuries were 10 times more common during games than during practices and close to five times as common during scrimmages than during regular practice
Athletes were also 139 times as likely to be injured when playing on modern artificial turf as they were when playing on grass
The newer types of artificial playing fields are called infill surfaces They have a layer of synthetic grass over a field of rubberized pellets called fill
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
There were close to 18 injuries for every 100000 exposures among athletes playing on infill surfaces compared to 14 injuries for every 100000 practices or games that took place on artificial turf without fill or on natural grass
Dr James Bradley the chief orthopedic surgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh said the findings support whats also been observed in the National Football League
Players are able to get a better grip on turf than on grass -- perhaps too good a grip Dragoo explained
So if you are in the wrong position because your leg doesnt give way as it does on grass it can distribute that force to your knee and cause an injury he said
Bradley said the NFL is working with shoe makers to try to design footwear that can mimic the grip that players get on grass
EXHIBIT G
Chemosphere
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 2013 Pages 423ndash431
Full article httpwwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticlepiiS00456535120098
48
Abstract
In this study the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in
surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated Direct
material analyses using solvent extraction as well as SPME
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
analysis of the vapour phase above the sample were carried out
Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine
different playgrounds In addition seven commercial samples of
recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a
multinational company All samples were extracted by ultrasound
energy followed by analysis of the extract by GCndashMS The
analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous
substances including PAHs phthalates antioxidants (eg BHT
phenols) benzothiazole and derivatives among other chemicals
The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these
recycled materials The concentration of PAHs in the commercial
pavers was extremely high reaching values up to 1 In addition
SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the
volatilisation of many of those organic compounds Uses of
recycled rubber tires especially those targeting play areas and
other facilities for children should be a matter of regulatory
concern
Study Highlights
A large number of recycled tire playgrounds and commercial
pavers have been analysed The occurrence of numerous
harmful compounds at high levels was confirmed Thirty-one
targets (PAHs vulcanisation additives antioxidants plasticizers)
were selected Total PAH concentration was remarkable
Contribution of B[a]P must be highlighted Target analytes
were detected in the headspace SPME experiments at room
temperature
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT H
NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child
Plays On By Hannah Rappleye
FULL ARTICLE
httpwwwnbcnewscomnewsinvestigationshow-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166
EXCERPT
The little black beads she said In the games and practices theyd get in my eyes
theyd get in my mouth theyd get in my nose My mom would get so mad at me because
Id go to the bathroom to take a shower and the turf bugs would be everywhere
Jordans mother Suzie Swarthout said her daughter probably swallowed hundreds of tire
crumbs a year
Yet neither Jordan nor Suzie worried much about it We all had the confidence that the
proper steps had been taken the research had been done that it had been proved to be
safe said Suzie
We all know how bad tires are said Jordan You dont eat tires Yet we were Youd
get it in your mouth and you wouldnt think about it
In 2013 after more than a year of mysterious thyroid problems a biopsy determined that
the star athlete had stage three Hodgkin lymphoma
It was one night this past May months after doctors declared her daughter to be in
remission when Suzie Swarthout saw Amy Griffins story on a local news broadcast
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT I
The Equalizer 1 Source of News About Womenrsquos Soccer
Players officially file lawsuit against
FIFA CSA over artificial turf at 2015
Womenrsquos World Cup
Jeff Kassouf October 1 2014 0 Comments
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer the reigning FIFA World Player of
the Year is among the group of players against turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos
World Cup Shersquos seen here playing at BC Place in Vancouver site of the
World Cup final next July (Getty Images)
A lawsuit has officially been filed by a group of womenrsquos international
soccer players against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association regarding
the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup The players say
that it is gender discrimination to not be playing on natural grass and that
men would never have to play a World Cup on artificial turf
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
The lawsuit was filed in an Ontario tribunal court on Wednesday ldquoThis
differential treatment constitutes a violation of section 1 of the Ontario
Human Rights Coderdquo the lawsuit reads
[Obtained by The Equalizer Lawsuit | Letter to registrar | Request to
expedite proceedings]
FIFA Deputy Director for Womenrsquos Competitions Tatjana Haenni said on
Tuesday that the 2015 World Cup will be played on turf and that ldquotherersquos no
Plan Brdquo She is in Canada along with an independent group assessing the
turf of all six venues to be used next year
[MORE Complete coverage of the 2015 Womenrsquos World Cup Turf
War]
Players first threatened FIFA and Canada Soccer with a lawsuit in late July
but wanted to give the organizations time to respond The group says that
playing a World Cup on artificial turf mdash what they say is an ldquoinferiorrdquo
surfacerdquo is discriminatory Every senior menrsquos World Cup has been played
on natural grass Recent youth World Cups including the 2014 U-20
Womenrsquos World Cup in Canada last month have been staged on artificial
surfaces All six venues for next yearrsquos World Cup are slated to have
artificial turf
Among the players on the list are past and present FIFA World Players of
the Year Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (current title holder) US
forward Abby Wambach and Brazilrsquos five-time World Player of the Year
Marta Also named in the lawsuit are US internationals Alex Morgan and
Heather OrsquoReilly Spain captain Veronica Boquete and Francersquos Camille
Abily
ldquoItrsquos very disappointing that FIFA hasnrsquot really even acknowledged or given
us any response to our statementrdquo Morgan told The Equalizer in September
ldquoIt seems like CSA and FIFA are kind of playing the blaming game So we
would like some sort of response and some sort of explanation because I
feel like it is taking a step backwards so hopefully we get the explanation
sooner rather than laterrdquo
Players have said that they will not boycott the World Cup
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
A FIFA distributed survey from 2013 showed that 77 percent of players
prefer the World Cup to be on natural grass
Every menrsquos World Cup since 1930 has been played on natural grass Youth
World Cups including the 2014 U-20 Womenrsquos World Cup in August in
Canada The lawsuit points out that FIFA spent $2 million to install natural
grass over artificial turf in Detroit and New Jersey for the 1994 menrsquos World
Cup
Hampton Dellinger an attorney representing the players released the
following statement on Wednesday afternoon
ldquoTwo months ago attorneys for a coalition of leading players informed
officials from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and FIFA that forcing
the 2015 womenrsquos World Cup to take place on artificial turf rather than grass
was not only wrong but also constituted illegal sex discrimination Menrsquos
World Cup tournament matches are played on natural grass while CSA and
FIFA are relegating female players to artificial turf The difference matters
plastic pitches alter how the game is played pose unique safety risks and are
considered inferior for international competition
Through public statements and private communications the players and their
lawyers have clearly signaled to CSA and FIFA that we want to resolve the
lsquoturf warrsquo through good faith negotiations rather than litigation CSA and
FIFA have ignored these overtures As a result the players have no choice
but to initiate the legal action filed today Whatever happens in court CSA
and FIFA have lost any claim to being good stewards of the womenrsquos game
mdash until they correct their mistake
After the spectacular success of World Cup 2011 and the 2012 Olympics
CSA and FIFA could help womenrsquos soccer reach even greater heights
Instead the leaders of CSA and FIFA are embarrassing the game and even
more themselves The gifted athletes we represent are determined not to
have the sport they love be belittled on their watch Getting an equal playing
field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but
one from which they do not shrink In the end we trust that fairness and
equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornnessrdquo
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT J
FORBES MAGAZINE
Full article
httpwwwforbescomsitesmikeozanian20141022buyers-remorse-surfacing-over-artificial-turf-fields
Oct 22 2014 1120 AM 10162 views
Buyerrsquos Remorse Surfacing Over
Artificial Turf Fields
Mike Ozanian Forbes Staff ldquoTraffic cop at the intersection of money and sportsrdquo
Companies that make and install artificial turf fields market the
long-term ldquocost savingsrdquo of using their plastic cork and rubber
product compared with natural grass The artificial stuff requires
less maintenance and can be used more than grass or so the theory
goes
But all across the US towns and schools that have replaced their
grass fields with artificial turf are finding out the hard way that
the plastic stuff doesnrsquot always last as long as advertised
Says Michael Tarantino director of maintenance and operations
for Poway Unified School District and an at-large director for the
Sports Turf Managers Association ldquoI think you are seeing buyers
remorse of artificial turf fields because communities quickly lose
sight of the replacement costs associated with artificial turf You
wouldnrsquot use artificial turn from an ROI (return on investment)
point of viewrdquo
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT K
From Falcon on Line Sarasota FL
Full article httpwwwsaratogafalconorgcontentare-artificial-turf-fields-carcinogenic
Excerpt 1
Matthew Hagemann a certified hydrogeologist and former director of the
US Environmental Protection Agencyrsquos West Coast Superfund program
said in an online report that this cancer risk is twice as high as the cancer
risk experienced by someone living adjacent to the Chevron Richmond
refinery a manufacturer of petroleum products and other chemicals
ldquoA child playing on SBR crumb rubber as few as 30 times per year would
experience a cancer risk of 19 per million mdash almost 20 times higher than the
CEQA significance threshold of 1 per millionrdquo Hagemann wrote
EXCERPT 2
The toxicologist said the 188 people per million statistic represented a cancer threat similar to that perceived by a moderate smoker
The OEHHA recognized several significant gaps in data writing that the
risk of airborne metals and organic compounds has not been adequately
assessed Their disputation of the 188 figure did not address the airborne
risk of PAHrsquos and other particles and the study is far from a safe bill of
health
With the plethora of studies in dispute as is common in scientific process
the research on cancer risk is far from conclusive In the meantime we have
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
put the cart before the horse We have built these potentially toxic fields
before clearing them for safety
There are carcinogens everywhere the cynical argument goes But thatrsquos
never been a good reason to ignore risk By that reasoning we shouldnrsquot
worry about any toxins at all These fields may present a significant cancer
risk mdash if Hagemannrsquos comments are correct just the inhalation risk is
comparable to that of living next to a chemical refinery mdash and the real-life
consequences of these threats have yet to be realized
Other countries have taken far more cautious approaches toward artificial
turfs America however has forged ahead rationalizing that because there
have been no reported cases of cancer these fields must be safe We are
forgetting that it takes years for cancer to develop and decades for people to
start to realize where the cancer is coming from Asbestos killed thousands
before proper national attention was raised Lead too was widely prevalent
in paint before this country finally banned it in 1977 And it took 40 years
for people to realize that Hexavalent Chromium Brockovichs Grendel was
tainting water and causing cancer
Exhibit L
Environment and Human Health Inc
Overview of the Risks of Synthetic Turf Fields By David R Brown ScD Public Health Toxicologist
April 4 2015
If one looks at the number of studies on synthetic turf fields that have attempted to estimate the risk to young students and athletes from the exposures to chemicals contained in the fields you will see the problem
The findings of each of the studies are based on a startling limited number (2 to 12) of actual samples of crumb rubber (each
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
weighing a no more than few ounces) on small number of fields most without with any testing of the crumb rubber (4 to 6 fields at most) There is no study that is comprehensive systematic assessment of the risk
Instead a natural experiment is being conducted in which thousands of children are being exposed on playing fields to rubber 1) known to contain carcinogens and 2) documented to produce cancer in the workers in the tire manufacturing plants
The results of this human health experiment is to determine whether there is enough exposure to carcinogens in the synthetic turf fields to cause cancer in the children who play on these fields
Now that there is strong indication that cancer has appeared in one segment of the student groups that have played on synthetic turf (soccer goalies in particular as well as others) the experiment is allowed to continue with health departments standing by until they can obtain positively statistical confirmation of the cancer hazard
Crumb rubber infill contains a large number of chemicals known to be toxic to humans These include chemicals associated with cancer asthma and other adverse health effects There is no safe threshold level for exposure to carcinogens
The only way to eliminate cancer risk from these chemicals is to eliminate exposure No existing study disputes the inherent hazard of these chemicals the studies simply draw varying conclusions regarding the total amount that these chemicals pose to children who are likely to be exposed when they play on the artificial turf fields
The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly what the mix of chemicals is in any given field containing crumb rubber made from recycled tires Tires themselves are manufactured with a wide variety of chemicals Fields may contain tires from a variety of sources and there is no source of information to identify exactly what chemicals and in what quantity are present in any given field No entity providing the crumb rubber provides any quality control identification of source or analytical analysis of the contents of the rubber used
Children are more susceptible than adults to a variety of environmental hazards for several reasons Childrens organ systems are developing rapidly A toxic exposure during a critical window of development can have life-long consequences Childrens detoxification mechanisms are also immature so an exposure that might not have an important effect on an adult could have an important effect on a child In addition children have many years in which to develop disease
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
Cancer in particular is a disease with long latency disease can
develop many years after exposure For this and other reasons it is particularly important to avoid carcinogenic exposures during childhood
There has been no comprehensive assessment of the data on cancer among athletes exposed to crumb rubber from artificial turf exposures However the evidence collected to date indicates a basis for concern and an urgent need for closer scrutiny Most notable is that the ratio of lymphomas and leukemia is the reverse of that expected in the general population for that age group Such a reverse in the pattern of cancers present is considered a signal that an active chemical carcinogen is present
Given the high stakes it is prudent to take action to protect children from this known hazard rather than wait for definitive evidence of harm
Thank you for your attention
David R Brown ScD
Public Health Toxicologist and Director of Public Health Toxicology for Environment and Human Health Inc Past Chief of Environmental
Epidemiology and Occupational Health at Connecticuts Department of Health Past Deputy Director of The Public Health Practice Group of
ATSDR at the National CentersFor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta Georgia
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT M
Norwegian Institute for Water Research study shows that artificial
turf fields leach toxic chemicals especially zinc into local water
resources
Link to full study
httpisssdeconferencesDresden202006TechnicalNIVA20E
ngelskpdf
Summary
An Assessment of environmental risk linked to run-off from artificial turf
pitches has been carried out on the basis of studies of the concentration of
hazardous substances in materials used in artificial turf pitches and their
potential for leaching into water The risk assessment was carried out in
accordance with standard procedures for the risk assessment of chemicals
within the EU The results show that there is a risk of environmental effects
in small recipients which receive surface run-off from artificial turf pitches
The factor which contributes most to the environmental risk is zinc
butalkylphenols and octylphenol in particular are also predicted an
additional contribution to the environmental risk
The concentrations of chemicals in run-off from artificial turf pitches are
predicted to decrease slowly so that environmental effects may occur over
many years The total quantities of hazardous substances which are leached
from an artificial turf pitch are however modest so that environmental
effects will be localized
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
NATURAL GRASS
TURF FIELDS
EXHIBIT N httpwwwredhenturfcomSport_featuresBenefitsNatu
ralhtm
Features and Benefits of natural grass sports fields FEATURES
1 Environmentally friendly 2500 square feet of living growing grass plants release enough oxygen for a family of four for a year Grass absorbs carbon dioxide helping to reduce global warming
2 Microorganism utopia Grass and the topsoil are home to zillions of beneficial
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
organisms that break down and recycle organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass
3 Aquifer recharger The area inside a typical high school footballtrack complex is about 2 acres Over 2 million gallons of water from rain will fall on this area if it rains 40 inches a year Grass will filter the water as it flows into the groundwater
4 Cooler surface Grass provides a cooler place to play than bare dirt cement asphalt or artificial turf This occurs because the photosynthetic process in the leaves intercepts sunlight utilizing the suns energy to make plant sugars instead of warming the dirt or other surface Plants evaporate water which also cools the air
5 Clean surface Grass roots thatch and leaves provide a good clean surface to run and play on
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
6 Better appearance The visual appearance and smell of grass are pleasing to people
7 Fewer health risks Years of study have shown no risks to playing on natural turf No such proof exists from long-term exposure to elements in artificial turf such as crumb rubber infill
BENEFITS of natural grass sports fields
1 Recycles Because grass has microorganisms it is an excellent recycling center Tree leaves sputum gum candy vomit urine soda spilled food sports drinks bird droppings animal manure and bits of paper do not have to be picked up off a natural grass field unlike on a artificial sports field which saves on labor costs Human diseases like MRSA that are transferred from a player to the
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
grass are naturally disinfected Grass fields do not need disinfecting
2 Self-repairs Natural grass fields repair themselves All sports fields sustain wear and damage when used Living natural grass fields have the ability to repair and regenerate themselves Man-made surfaces do not repair themselves Natural grass fields can last two to three times longer than artificial fields
3 Provides traction Grass gives good traction but not great traction Good traction means when players collide the turf gives way not human joints Great traction is bad because joints can break before a players foot slides on artificial turf
4 Costs less to remove End-of-life disposal costs of natural grass are a small fraction of what it costs to remove and dispose of artificial turf
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
EXHIBIT O
University of Arkansas Report on Turf
Grass Science Note This is a concise report offered on-line as a pdf As a
decision maker we think you will find this report essential and full
of good information
Full report
httpturfuarkeduturfhelparchives021109ht
ml
ADDENDUM
YouTube Videos about synthetic turf
Bill Crain Speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=Pud7WFZr65o
Guive Mirfendereski speaks about Synthetic Turf
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=WKbymSAcTkMampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
San Franciscos Synthetic Playfields A Question of Ingestion
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=8zsodulEmz0ampfeature=rela
ted
Synthetic Fields - ABC News
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=7PQCpKmw0pAampfeature=
related
San Franciscos Artificial Playfields - Synthetic Turf amp Skin
Infections
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=xQvj3F2Zg6kampfeature=rel
ated
Synthetic Fields - A Question of Infection
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=sz3laIdWut4ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Maida Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=kGjpjloiD34ampfeature=relat
ed
Dr Philip Landrigan on Lead Exposure Part 1
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=T1asZ_v2hrkampfeature=rela
ted
Part 2
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=5v6cruHHSGEampfeature=re
lated
Save Your Park
httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=dFhWHlV-My8
