Friday, February 22, 2008

Turf nixed for playgrounds

A controversial type of artificial turf made of pulverized tires will no longer be used in a $25 million city school playground construction project because of concerns about possible health hazards.

Schools construction project nixes use of artificial turf made from ground tires

The Trust for Public Land has used "crumb rubber infill" turf at 18 city playgrounds, but will switch to a different turf at the next seven it builds.

"We're moving away from the crumb rubber," the group's Troy Farmer told the Daily News. "There's really no firm evidence that there's anything to be frightened of, but as long as people are concerned, better safe than sorry."

The move puts new pressure on the Parks Department, which insists the turf is safe despite growing concern from parents and health advocates that the true risks are unknown. A bill in Albany would put a six-month moratorium on its use.

The tires contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium as well as volatile organic compounds and other chemicals, but there is no consensus about whether they are unsafe.


The Parks department vowed yesterday to continue using the crumb rubber infill turf.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

So what will they use instead - brownfield fill and pay millions for it?

Anonymous said...

great that there won't be toxic turf there, but slightly ironic that the photo features kids playing football, which is a terrific and fun sport to play, but somewhat dangerous, too, especially when steroids are factored in.

Anonymous said...

Of course Benepe is sticking to his guns
claiming that his rubber pellet turf poses no danger.

I'm sure that upon some careful investigation,
we'll probably discover that he or his friends
are hooked up with the installation contractors
or the manufacturers of this artificial poison grass!

What do you think Mayor Mike ?

Anonymous said...

"I'm sure that upon some careful investigation,
we'll probably discover that he or his friends
are hooked up with the installation contractors
or the manufacturers of this artificial poison grass!

What do you think Mayor Mike ?"

Anonymous # 2 has struck pay dirt with this comment. But is it Benepe or the mayor who is on the take here? Do you believe this mayor (or any other billionaire) has ever said "I now have enough money. I want no more"?

Benepe is not a billionaire, but the payoffs from this contract can make him rich for life.

There is no other explanation that makes any sense.

We Light Up Queens said...

It's pretty scary when you finally realize how many everyday things are carcinogens. I'm glad there are now efforts to make the children safer.

Anonymous said...

...starting with that brain damaging led paint. Yikes. That's got to be the creepiest one.

Anonymous said...

oh please, there's no evidence that it's harmful...they even use it in the nfl

Anonymous said...

Look at me everyone. I'm disagreeing with y'all, by saying astroturf isn't bad. So you have to give me some negative attention, now, to satisfy that immature yearning of mine.

"Yes, call me a bad boy, oooh that makes me feel soooo soooo gooood!"

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't devote negative attention to him; I'd just say that he's misinformed.