More interesting facts about crumb rubber

Good, but old, article about the deleterious effects of crumb rubber on plants and soil. I guess they found new and improved ways to rid the tire industry of it's toxic waste, ie: crumb under synthetic turf. Horrific to think that our elected officials actually fought to get this stuff under the feet of our children. Even worse that parents allow their kids to use it. Scary.

Funny Cartoons (click here)

If you like Dilbert, you have to click the link above. Very funny!

Real Concerns for Real Reasons

Subject: CT ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLS SYNTHETIC TURF STUDY DANGEROUSLY DECEPTIVE,
URGES ITS REMOVAL AND REVISION

> Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 1:39 PM
> News from Office of the Attorney General 55 Elm Street
> Hartford,
> Connecticut 06106
>
> Attorney General Richard Blumenthal For Immediate Release
> Contact:
> Tara Stapleton or Christopher Hoffman 860-808-5324
>
> TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008
>
> ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLS SYNTHETIC TURF STUDY DANGEROUSLY
> DECEPTIVE,
> URGES ITS REMOVAL AND REVISION
>
> Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today called on the
> Consumer
> Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to immediately remove and
> revise a
> report on its website that may dangerously and deceptively
> mislead
> citizens into believing that artificial turf has been
> proven safe.
>
> Blumenthal said the CPSC relied on a grossly inadequate and
> badly
> flawed study in declaring synthetic turf safe to install
> and play on
> -- focusing narrowly and insufficiently on lead, while
> failing to
> examine several other possible chemicals and concerns.
>
> In a letter to CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Ann Nord,
> Blumenthal said
> the CPSC's claims -- based on such a "crudely
> cursory study" -- may
> dangerously deceive municipal and state leaders nationwide
> about the
> safety of synthetic turf.
>
> For the sake of public health and safety, Blumenthal said
> the CPSC
> has a moral and possibly legal obligation to immediately
> remove and
> revise its synthetic turf report from its website.
>
> "This report and release are as deceptive as some of
> the advertising
> and marketing of consumer products prosecuted by the
> Federal Trade
> Commission and state attorneys general," Blumenthal
> said.
>
> "There is a clear and present danger that municipal
> and state
> decision makers -- as well as parents and citizens -- will
> rely on
> this unconscionably deficient report. It is replete with
> unsound
> scientific methodology and conclusions, and unreliable
> findings. It
> may lead t o unsupportable and unwise commitments by towns
> and cities
> or their boards of education to build or replace athletic
> fields.
>
> "I have personally reached no conclusion on the safety
> or health
> issues concerning artificial turf, because no complete or
> comprehensive study has been done. This one, far from being
> complete
> or comprehensive, is profoundly misleading and misguided
> and may lead
> to bad policymaking. Timely corrective action -- indeed
> immediate
> revision -- is essential. Contact: Tara Stapleton or
> Christopher
> Hoffman 860-808-5324
>
> "The CPSC review of artificial turf safety focused
> entirely on the
> issue of lead contamination from artificial blades of
> grass. While
> this one issue is important, it is neither the sole nor the
> most
> significant issue. There is no indication that CPSC staff
> considered
> the transferability or emission -- especially at high
> temperatures --
> of toxic chemicals from the crumb rubber used at the base
> of
> artificial turf. This crumb rubber is usually made from
> recycled
> tires, containing chemicals -- including benthothiazole,
> butyplated
> hydroxyanisole and phthalates -- that may be toxic or
> carcinogenic
> under some circumstances.
>
> "Similarly, there is no indication that CPSC
> considered other
> important risks, some presented or aggravated by very high
> temperatures in the summer sun, and exposure to serious
> infection
> caused by the more extensive skin burns and abrasions
> created by
> falls on this material. Further, while CPSC staff admits
> that aging,
> wear and exposure to sunlight may change the amounts of
> chemicals
> released, CPSC has not even attempted to study or quantify
> the
> effects of those changes on health and safety.
>
> "Even as to the lead issue, the CSPC study is
> seriously and
> reprehensibly flawed. The study evaluated only 14 samples
> of
> artificial turf, even though thousands of these fields are
> in use.
> Worse, six samples were from portions of turf that was
> never
> installed or used, and one sample came from a field that
> was no
> longer in use. Thus, only half of the samples -- or seven
> -- were
> from turf in current use. The severely deficient scope of
> this fact
> finding eviscerates the credibility of CSPC's sweeping
> conclusions
> about thousands of artificial turf surfaces in daily use.
>
> "It is mystifying and mindboggling that an agency
> charged with
> protecting our children from unsafe products would declare
> artificial
> turf 'OK to Install, OK to Play On' without
> studying these critical
> health and safety threats.
>
> "Continued public dissemination of this misleading and
> deceptive
> material might well constitute a violation of our consumer
> protection
> laws if done by a company selling this product. The
> CSPC's
> distributing it -- and vouching for its accuracy --
> constitutes a
> violation of its public trust."
>
> The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
> (DEP) -- at
> Blumenthal's urging and with funding from a lawsuit
> settlement by his
> office -- is beginning a study of artificial turf.
> Blumenthal
> recommended that the CSPC coordinate additional study with
> the DEP to
> ensure a thorough and prompt examination of synthetic turf.
>
> ***END***Co ntact: Tara Stapleton or Christopher Hoffman
> 860-808-5324
> Nancy Alderman, President
> Environment and Human Health, Inc.
> 1191 Ridge Road
> North Haven, CT 06473
> (phone) 203-248-6582
> (fax) 203-288-7571
> http://www.ehhi.org
>
>
> --
> Nancy Alderman, President
> Environment and Human Health, Inc.
> 1191 Ridge Road
> North Haven, CT 06473
> (phone) 203-248-6582
> (fax) 203-288-7571
> http://www.ehhi.org

Syn turf, locked up from the public

Right here in our backyard, Jackson Twp, NJ, we are seeing what happens when synthetic turf is put in by a township but is only allowed to be used by members of an organization. So, basically that means every taxpayer is paying for a product, but only certain portions of that group are going to be able to utilize said product. Does that seem fair? I think not.

NJ Dept Health and Senior Services determines turf is a hazzard

Extra, extra read all about it, turf does contain harmful lead!! Read the full report by clicking on the title of this headline.

Another look at the turf wars (click)

Here is an up to date overview of the synthetic vs real turf debate. Comments at the bottom are interesting. Read on

ABC World News Video Clip (click)

Believe it or not, the ABC World News called VAST for an interview last Thursday. Unfortunately, I wasn't available to take that call, otherwise it would have been Marlton on the news. In light of all the recent events that have led up to the CPSC investigation, I thought it would be pertinent to post this link, it runs 2 minutes.

One issue that remains a concern is that the crumb rubber used as infill has not been included in this study as a source of lead. So far, CPSC is only looking into the nylon fibers that were used in the old Astroturf product . It is urgent that they make sure they examine the whole product when checking for heavy metals, especially on product that is currently being installed.

Please write to the CPSC and let them know you would like the entire turf product examined, not just the fiber. Here is a link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/info.aspx

Very well put together presentation (click)

Concerned San Franciscans have put together this absolutely wonderful presentation that should be mandatory reading for all public officials making decisions about installing synthetic turf. As Evesham's Mayor Randy Brown recently quoted in the Burlington County Times, “Safety is paramount”. So, I am very hopeful that he will make absolutely certain that the synthetic turf which is comprised of lead filled crumb rubber as the infill, is never considered for use here in Evesham because it poses very real health risks. We, the looney tree huggers, have the correct information regarding this controversial issue and have had it all along. Please take a few minutes to look over this very important presentation which has been laid out in a very readable format. Thank you.

FieldTurf hires lobbyists....scary

Here we go. Since all the health concerns regarding syn turf have become public and the legislators have taken action, now FieldTurf has decided to hire lobbyists. This should raise eyebrows more than anything has yet.

** Turf manufacturer hires lobbyist to bury NYC turf bill. SynTurf.org, Newton Mass. April 16, 2008. Citing the April 15, 2008, edition of Crain’s Insider (http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=insider), Geoff Croft of New York Parks Advocate (http://nycparkadvocates.org) reports that FieldTurf, which has sold New York City 200 artificial turf fields, has hired lobbyist Claudia Wagner and public relations firm Widmeyer Communications to help bury a City Council bill to rip up $100 million worth of fields. Council members Eric Gioia, D-Queens, and Tish James, D-Brooklyn, say fields made with crumb rubber should be replaced because the product contains harmful substances. New Jersey-based FieldTurf says the fields are safe and cause fewer injuries than grass fields. It has been trotting out scientists and data to back up its position. The Bloomberg administration says the city's Health Department is studying the fields, adding that the bill is premature and lacks widespread support.

NJ Dep Health and Senior Services has concerns on syn turf

Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard has urged the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate the artificial turf used on athletic fields, play areas and in homes, after New Jersey testing found high lead levels in selected samples of turf fibers.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services tested 12 artificial turf fields at municipal parks and colleges, and found that two had lead levels eight to ten times above the state’s residential soil standard for cleanup of contaminated properties. DHSS also tested samples of turf marketed for residential use. Two samples had similarly high lead levels.


Click the title of this post to read the whole report

Jackson, NJ circumvents the Pinelands Commission

The soil samples that come back from Evesham's geotechnical survey should be examined closely. What will the Marl of the story be (ha ha), really isn't very funny is it? We all know there are pre-existing drainage problems in Marlton due to the clay (marl). Why would it drain better off of a impervious surface? Read on for more tales of woe ..............

More on the turf wars from ACP........

Another NJ town is considering syn turf. Hopefully Assemblyman Rooney's bill will be passed and our children's health and safety will become a priority. When will the discussion about the ecologically friendlier Mondoturf, begin?

An Environmental Issue not related to syn turf: (click)

Support from both sides of the aisle has finally arisen in regards to emissions from our automobiles. Both parties are calling for the EPA to set standards. It's about time, don't you think?

It's Not an April Fool's Joke

Here is another story, reiterating the concern we should all have about the safety of crumb rubber. It's just plain old common sense when you step back and look at this topic objectively. Safety is the ONLY priority we should really care about, isn't it?

NJ joins the list of states proposing moratoria on turf

Finally, the day has arrived! Assemblyman Rooney has proposed a moratorium on the installation of synthetic turf, Assembly Bill 2512. Hallelujeh!!!

Getting Rid of Turf Infill (Future Cost Considerations)

Council members push for removal of pulverized tires
from city parks

By ADAM LISBERG
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, March 26th 2008, 4:00 AM

Three City Council members are pushing to get an
estimated 30 million pounds of pulverized tires out of
city parks, saying there are too many unanswered
health questions about using the material in
artificial turf.

"We shouldn't be taking any risks when it comes to the
health of our children, especially when alternatives
are available," said Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Queens),
who will introduce a bill today with colleagues Maria
Baez (D-Bronx) and Letitia James (WFP-Brooklyn).

The bill would ban any more artificial turf fields
that use tiny bits of "crumb-rubber infill" as a
cushion, and would require existing fields to be torn
up and replaced within a year.

The city Parks Department says the fields are safe,
while standing up to heavy use and costing less to
maintain than grass. Ground-up tires contain heavy
metals such as lead and cadmium as well as volatile
organic compounds and other chemicals.

Turf critic Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates
estimates there are 130 crumb-rubber fields in the
city with 30 million pounds of tires - which would
cost millions to replace.

"Tests should have been done before any of this got
into our park system," Croft said.

Evesham on Manalapan's radar...

Perusing the web I found this blog , interesting.

Jumping on the Moratorium Bandwagon

California, New York, Connecticut......the list continues to grow. Check it out.

How green is the greenest of them all? (click)

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. This article talks about another town in the midst of a turf war. They have been considering Mondoturf with Ecofill as a substitute for the ground up used tires that your typical synthetic turf field would consist of . The Mondoturf is a greener alternative but has not had any independent study yet. It is worth a look though......

Today's BCT

When does "no" mean "no"? Couldn't 1.5million be put to better use? Wouldn't that amount of money be able to address the needs of more than a small fraciton of MRC children? I think it could and it should. Read on