Tarkett literature describes turf fibers as "quite soft, which will virtually eliminate skin abrasions."
Synthetic turf infill often is made from recycled rubber tire material called "rubber tire crumb."
"There are a lot of anecdotes that this tire crumb gets on the skin and sticks to it, so children who come home after having played on these fields take it into the homes and get it on other family members as well," Buchanan said.
"FieldTurf's crumb rubber infill is comprised of the cleanest cryogenic rubber available on the market today," according to Gill. "The products meet any state standards as it relates to VOC's and PAH's."
VOC stand for "volatile organic compounds" and PAH stands for "polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons."
Gill cited a State of New York Department of Health fact sheet on the subject, which noted that "information on crumb rubber and crumb rubber infilled turf fields indicates that ingestion, dermal, or inhalation exposures to chemicals in or released from crumb rubber do not pose a significant public health concern."
"I support more recreational space for urban communities absolutely, and I realize that grass fields require maintenance," Buchanan said. "Sometimes pesticides are used on grass fields; that concerns me as well, although the pesticides usually dissipate very quickly and become inactivated in the sunlight. But I need more reassurance via scientific exposure data that people who use these fields frequently, like children on organized sports teams who are being exposed regularly, that their health is not at risk.
"I support the Chicago Park District creating or upgrading more play space for children, but my role as a health professional is to look out for the health of the people, especially children who are more vulnerable to exposures," Buchanan said.
Gill cited "hundreds of studies" on the safety of synthetic turf.
Buchanan said, "There are studies that have looked at the components of rubber tire and there are several health risk assessments-a mathematical model to predict health risks. What hasn't been done are actual exposure measurements while people are playing on the fields," she concluded.
Community activism
In several areas of the country, locals are increasing their opposition to synthetic turf.
In New York City in February, a coalition of environmental and civic groups called for a moratorium on the addition of artificial turf to sports fields while the New York City Health Department conducts a review of health risks. The coalition includes a former New York Parks commissioner, New Yorkers for Parks, and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. A bill was introduced in the New York City Council to prohibit the use of certain synthetic turfs by council member Maria Baez.
Bills were proposed in California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York last year that would prohibit installing artificial turf fields.
A community group in San Carlos, CA, "Save San Carlos Parks," on May 13 sued that city for approving an artificial turf playing field.
Gill sees the opposition as uninformed or having ulterior motives.
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