Dangers of Artificial Turf
Synthetic turf has been recommended for potential use at the Presidio of San Francisco for upgrading the ballfields. Identified advantages are greater playing time and less maintenance. In October 2007, the Urban Watershed Project commented on the use of synthetic turf as proposed in the Tennessee Hollow Environmental Assessment:
While we do understand and support the benefits of using synthetic turf, UWP remains concerned about water quality impacts from this surface downstream of proposed ballfield sites. We would like to see that potential impacts are studied prior to installation and that the synthetic turf presents no danger to downstream receptors.
I’d still like to know whether maintenance of the field will introduce problem chemicals to the environment and restored creeks below the site. For example, what is applied to clean and disinfect the field? Fabric softeners?
While potential water quality impacts remain a major concern, what about the human health impacts? Check out the April 17, 2008 video below from ABC News looking at the potential health impacts from synthetic turf. I certainly support further investigation into synthetic turf prior to its use at the Presidio.
– Doug Kern
Tags: ballfields, environmental assessment, environmental document, human health, lead, synthetic turf, Tennessee Hollow, water quality
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