State says Turf Fields Are Safe
The next generation of artificial turf is safe. That's according to a study released Friday by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The study found the type of rubber infill used in the synthetic surface poses no significant threat to surface or ground water, and the lead concentrations in the rubber were well below federal safety hazard standards.
“It’s smooth, even, dry, and you don’t slip,” said Brighton girls lacrosse parent Tina Cregan.
Some say artificial turf offers all of the advantages of natural grass with none of the drawbacks.
"If it was a torrential downpour the fields were a mess and you know the mud. Now you can play anytime. It's great," Cregan said.
East Rochester was the first local high school to go artificial.
"If you look at our turf it's a beautiful turf field," said East Rochester High School Athletic Director Mark Michele.
Nine years after East Rochester’s turf field was installed, the DEC confirmed what school officials say they already knew.
"I felt very confident that it was safe," Michele said.
"If these fields are safe we are taking a tremendous liability, which are used tires, and turning it into a huge asset, which are athletic fields," said Bob Sanderson of the New York State Turfgrass Association.
The Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides would not comment on the DEC’s findings but says a 2007 study found the recycled tires used in these fields contained dangerous chemicals. Even those who support the surface say it shouldn't be overused.
"I'm a firm believer in natural grass athletic fields. And depending upon the amount of traffic a field gets or the time of year you need to use it, this can be a very good alternative," Sanderson said.
The use of this surface may be up for debate. Sanderson says its safety is not.
"While those chemicals are in the crumb rubber there's no evidence it would come out in normal field circumstances and harm someone," Sanderson said.
Some say it’s a minor risk, not enough to hold up play.
"I just thought it was one of the problems of the moment. You'd have to be on here 24/7 in order for that to be an issue," said Cregan.