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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
June 18, 2009
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Public Advocate Gotbaum, CM Gioia, Parks Advocates Call on Parks Department to Create Replacement Schedule for Turf Fields
BROOKLYN – In light of documents recently made public by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, along with New Yorkers for Parks, Natural Resources Defense Council, and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest called on the city parks department to create a replacement schedule for artificial turf fields in New York City.
The release of a memo from EPA scientists pointing to research suggesting potential health hazards related to crumb-rubber infill made from recycled tires follows increasing concerns from parks and environmental organizations. Recently, several fields across the country were closed due to high levels of lead, including the field in Thomas Jefferson Park in Manhattan. Crumb-rubber infill made from recycled tires—the material used in certain types of synthetic turf—can contain lead and other toxins linked to many serious health problems. The Centers for Disease Control issued an advisory to states that there may be increased risks of lead exposure from older, worn fields. According to the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center, known hazards of artificial turf include turf abrasions, which may harbor infections.
In addition, artificial turf may be harmful to the environment. Artificial turf fields have been shown to heat up to 160 degrees on hot days, contributing to the urban heat island effect, and the Parks Department itself cautions users of these fields, saying, “On hot days, some artificial turf fields may be too hot to play on.”
Public Advocate Gotbaum, a former Parks Department Commissioner, said, "For over two years, I raised concerns about the potential health and environmental hazards of using recycled rubber tires at playgrounds. And while the Parks Department did finally agree to stop installing turf using tire scrap, they have not created a schedule to replace all the fields and playgrounds that still exist. If they were concerned enough to announce they would no longer use artificial turf made from recycled tires, they should be equally concerned about the safety of the fields made from this material that are already in use. Creating a replacement schedule will be essential if it is found that deteriorating turf poses a health risk and useful in properly assessing the long-term costs of using artificial turf."
Councilmember Eric Gioa said, "Parents need to know the fields their kids are playing on are safe," said Councilman Gioia. "Until we can prove that crumb rubber is safe there needs to be a moratorium on their construction. We can't leave the health of our children to chance."
Christian DiPalermo, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks said, "New Yorkers for Parks has called for testing for all types of synthetic turf. The bottom line is that the city needs to establish protocols guided by general environmental impact statements before using anymore synthetic turf in the city."
In 2008, the Parks Department conducted a study of all tire turf fields in the city and found that none, other than the fields at Thomas Jefferson, were emitting lead levels beyond the limits recommended by the EPA.
A January 2008 memo from EPA scientists in the Denver office to the EPA central office was recently made public. According to an MSNBC article, the memo revealed that that there are significant gaps in the research concerning the safety of this turf, and the EPA should reconsider its endorsement of it.
In April of 2007, Public Advocate Gotbaum called for independent testing of rubber pellets that may potentially pose serious health risks to New Yorkers. In February 2008, the Public Advocate sent a letter to Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Thomas Frieden and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe requesting that the Parks Department issue an immediate moratorium on the installation of artificial turf.
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