2 Comments

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  L. Johnson - 9 years ago

  As the parent of a young athlete I support the need for more athletic fields. However, I do not support the unnecessary exposure to KNOWN toxins and carcinogens….especially when there are alternative choices. Yes, life is full of daily exposure to toxins, but why knowingly add to this toxic load? We are just learning how much this exposure contributes to cancer and other diseases, especially when exposure begins at a young age.

  The questions regarding health concerns with exposure to crumb rubber’s KNOWN carcinogens and toxins is just beginning to come to light. Like many of you, I assumed that the fields were safe. Just like asbestos, lead paint, tobacco, B.P.A., etc., new information becomes available we have the opportunity to educate ourselves and, if concerned, advocate for a change.

  Government agencies, local communities, and parents are reviewing the safety of crumb rubber. One important development at a May 19, 2015 meeting of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, the use of crumb rubber and a link to the growing list of young soccer athletes who have reported developing various forms of cancer was reviewed with Chairman Kaye of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In this meeting, he publicly states that the C.P.S.C. no longer stands by the 2008 statement of the safety of crumb rubber- “Safe to play on means something to parents that I do not think we intended to convey, nor I do not think we should have conveyed” You can click on the link to see his public statement.

  There are just too many unanswered questions and the risk to your youngest citizens is too great. We CAN have synthetic athletic fields, but by choosing a non-toxic infill, like South Kitsap and other cities have done, we do not have to worry when our children play sports; or be put in the difficult, and unnecessary position of choosing to keep our children from a sport they love, in order to safeguard their health….all because of an infill material. Click on this link to see one of the many examples of communities choosing to put human and environmental health first by using a non-toxic alternative http://www.skitsap.wednet.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&PageID=1&ViewID=047e6be3-6d87-4130-8424-d8e4e9ed6c2a&FlexDataID=40058

  Want to earn more about concerns with crumb rubber/recycled tires, and why so many parents are pushing for safer alternatives? Start here-
  Environmental and Human Health, Inc.- http://www.ehhi.org/
  Safe and Healthy Playing Fields Coalition-http://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org/
  Washington Alliance for Non-toxic Play and Athletic Fields-http://www.wanpaf.org/

  Want to sign the petition to “Ban Crumb Rubber in the City of Edmonds”? https://www.change.org/p/city-of-edmonds-wa-ban-the-use-of-crumb-rubber-on-all-synthetic-turf-fields-in-the-city-of-edmonds-wa

• 
  Ann Onnamiss - 9 years ago

  Our taxpayer dollars funding education for our children? hmmm.