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Karen Diaz SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL F'r ovate. to the City Council Subject: FW: synthetic turf After Pigtribution of Packet ClatcQ From: Michael and Tiffany Siegling [] Sent:Thursday, November 27, 2014 9:49 AM To: Susan Andrade-Wax; Michele Crose; Becky Hopkins; Valerie Pavlakis; Anna Pawlak; Mark Spitler; Dan Villasenor; Karen Diaz; Leonard Lopez; Scott Walker; Kathleen Yurchak; Jonathan Lowell; Nelson Fialho Subject: Fwd: synthetic turf Dear Pleasanton Council Members, Please read the email below as well as the links to the articles. We are thrilled to hear about the plans to build lighted sports fields at the new Bernal Community Park. We are, however, very concerned about the possibility of having synthetic turf installed. We understand the benefits, but right now the anecdotal evidence pointing towards it being a health threat to our children - specifically soccer players and goalies - is more important. Right now, serious bloody open wounds, increase in concussion and most significantly very possible link to lymphoma and leukemia(both blood cancers) are reasons to hold off on artificial turf and wait for more specific evidence that it will not pose a risk to the health of our sons and daughters. We urge you to err on the side of caution as so many cities and schools have done and continue with the use of real grass until independent research show that artificial turf is absolutely safe. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/how-safe-artificial-turf-vour-child-plays-n220166 Thank you for your time! Michael and Tiffany Siegling Proud Rage parents and Pleasantonians Begin forwarded message: Hello, We received your email concerning the support for the synthetic turf as part of the Bernal Community Park Phase II. We are thrilled that there will be lighted fields for our girls to play at! However,we are very concerned that the city is considering synthetic turf for these fields. There are numerous stories raising serious concerns for the health of the children being exposed to artificial turf -specifically soccer players and goalies!! Artificial turf is made from recycled car tires-which in itself is commendable -however there are known carcinogens in tires. With the tires being demolished in tiny particles to make up these fields, during practice and games kids will most likely inhale these particles. Specifically, goalies,making multiple dives every practice and game, seem to be at risk. Cancer in players exposed regularly to these type of fields seem to be increasing all over the country. And then I am not even mentioning the increase in bloody open wounds from falls on these type of fields or the increase in concussions.. 1