The Dangers Of Fake Green Grass

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(picture credit: jspad on flickr)

A while back there was quite a bit of talk about the health risks of using synthetic turf instead of grass in New York City parks. My son plays soccer on such fake grass every Saturday, so the subject interests me quite a bit. The concern is over the high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the recycled rubber pellets used on the fake grass. When N.Y. City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe was first asked about the danger, he refused to acknowledge that there may be anything to worry about at the 73 locations currently using the turf. In fact, the Parks Department is planning to use synthetic turf for another 40 athletic fields around the city. Now the City Council is getting involved in order to get some answers. Below is the info on the oversight hearings scheduled by the Council.

New York City Council Talks Turf

New York City Council Parks and Recreation Committee to Hold Oversight Hearing on the Use of Artificial Turf in City Parks

Thursday, December 13th from 10am-12pm, at 250 Broadway, 14th Floor Hearing Room,

The New York City Council Parks and Recreation Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the use of artificial turf in the City’s parks. New Yorkers for Parks published, “A New Turf War: Synthetic Turf in New York City,” which provides background on this issue and offers recommendations for determining when and where to use artificial turf in city parks and athletic fields. New Yorkers for Parks will use this opportunity to voice some of the recommendations of our policy report on the topic. To download the report, please go to www.ny4p.org.

further reading:
See no evil? parks department denies health study of synthetic turf (Metro)


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