While I was in Louisiana shortly after Thanksgiving, I happened to turn on the TV at the hotel where we were staying, and came upon an interesting and somewhat heated discussion about artificial turf fields. The discussion was about fields made up of recycled tires and sneakers and the health concerns regarding children's exposure to those rubber particles. One doctor recommended that all artificial turf athletic fields, or on playgrounds, be torn up as soon as possible. He claimed that the information he had seen showed a danger, especially to children.
One article I read claimed that artificial turf fields allegedly contain organic hydrocarbons with carcinogenic potential. It further stated that the risks have been the subject of some preliminary studies, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty at this point.
I had heard of knee problems associated with artificial turf fields, and I knew that some parents complained about excessive heat coming off these fields when they began to be installed at our high schools. But I had never heard of any possible carcinogenic dangers. Apparently in 2007, the Environment and Human Health, Inc., received some inquiries about the potential of exposing children to these tire crumbs. So far there has not been clear cut evidence to substantiate claims of possible health concerns to the young, but then I haven't seen the very latest studies either.
I talked to Howard County's Supervisor of Athletics, John Davis, about the potential dangers of our artificial turf fields, specifically due to the carcinogenic qualities of the rubber particles. He said that he was aware of the discussion, but considered it all to be speculation at this point.
One thing I know for certain is that nobody on our Board of Education or other administrative bodies would ever knowingly approve the installation of something that could be detrimental to any human, child or adult. We will just have to wait and see on this one.