Study To Assess Health, Environmental Impact

Of Crumb Rubber In Artificial Turf

HARTFORD — The Connecticut Department of Environmental protection (DEP) says steps are now in place to conduct a study to determine if there are health and environmental impacts resulting from the use of crumb rubber for artificial turf playing fields.

The process for a scientific analysis of the impacts of crumb rubber is contained in an agreement recently reached between DEP, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), and the University of Connecticut Health Center. The study will be funded with $245,000 available to DEP for special projects from the settlement of cases involving violations of environmental regulations.

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “This study is being conducted to respond in a credible manner to concerns that many people have raised about the potential impact of the presence of crumb rubber on playing fields.

“Through this study,” Commissioner McCarthy said, “a team of scientists will gather accurate and reliable data that DPH will use to issue a full Health Risk Assessment. This report, expected to be available early next year, will provide valuable guidance to municipalities, school systems, educational institutions, and others who operate or are considering installing artificial playing fields that make use of crumb rubber.” The study will complement the work of other states in the region currently evaluating these materials.

The study will involve both tests and readings at actual fields and laboratory analysis. Under the agreement for the study, the agencies involved will conduct the following work:

*CAES: Laboratory tests to determine the chemical makeup of crumb rubber used on playing fields and to determine what substances may volatilize or leach from crumb rubber.

*UConn Health Center: Collection of air samples at playing fields by industrial hygienists — under both stationary conditions and playing conditions — and laboratory analysis of the samples. Samples will be taken under warm weather conditions, when there is the potential for maximum volitalization from crumb rubber, this summer.

*DEP: Perform stormwater sampling and data analysis to detect the presence of any metals or compounds in water that runs off of artificial turf fields containing crumb rubber. The agency will also produce an initial environmental risk assessment based on its sampling data.

*DPH: Evaluate data presented in the reports from CAES, the Health Center and DEP and publish a final Health Risk Assessment by January 31, 2010. This assessment will enable parties to fully consider and weigh any risk factors when determining whether to install artificial turf field with crumb rubber.

Funding for the study was earmarked for this purpose under a settlement announced May 16, 2008, between the State of Connecticut and the developers of Montville Commons Shopping Center.

The settlement resolved violations of state environmental laws in 2005 concerning construction of an illegal dam and the management of storm water during construction of the shopping center.

Installation of artificial turf fields has become a more common practice as cities and towns and educational institutions seek to reduce both maintenance needs created by the heavy use of grass fields and demands for water and pesticides needed for care of natural grass.

One popular design for these fields involves the use of crumb rubber infill, which provides drainage, a layer of padding, and holds the blades of synthetic grass upright.

The crumb rubber used in artificial turf fields is mainly composed of recycled tires, which contain manufactured and natural rubber. Chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be found in the crumb rubber. Crumb rubber can also contain heavy metals such as zinc and copper.

According to an Associated Press report this week, Karen Murphy, who has led the effort to oppose installation of two artificial turf fields in Stamford, said she is heartened the state will undertake the study. The city should not rush to finish existing turf projects before the results are available, she said.

“These artificial turfs have not been proven safe environmentally and healthwise,” Ms Murphy said. “It’s very important that these studies be done now and not that seven, eight years from now we find out the impact.”

Ms Murphy is not alone in her opposition to turf fields. In August, state Representative Kimberly Fawcett, a Democrat whose district includes Fairfield and Westport, said she supports a moratorium on new fields until the state DEP concludes an analysis.

Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy said the city has reviewed many studies on the subject and found the merits of the fields “far outweigh” any negative effects. He also said he opposes recommendations by some opponents to consider removing existing artificial turf fields.

“I doubt very much that we’re going to outlaw artificial turf,” Malloy said. “If they made those recommendations, it would be opposite of all of the studies that have taken place.”

This summer, Stamford officials briefly shut down the 11-year-old field at Stamford High School when testing found lead levels to be high. The field has since been reopened to all but young children.

The city’s newest fields will not contain the same type of synthetic fibers that have been found to contain lead, according to the contractor on the projects.

Many Stamford parents, frustrated in the past by a lack of soccer facilities, have pressed for the construction of new turf fields. When the issue went before the city’s Zoning Board in September, more than 30 parents and their children showed up to support the plan.