01 - Laserfiche WebLink

ATTACHMENT 7 who introduced SB47 in December to require California to study at least 20 turf fields and playgrounds and halt new ones from being constructed with the material for two years until research is complete. "Nearly all of the existing studies cite the need for additional research about whether there is a risk. The tests have never been conclusive, and there is a greater increase in the use of tire crumb." Groups concerned with the material say the studies done to date — including a 2009 EPA study —have looked only at a limited number of toxics at a handful of fields, and they are calling for additional research. "The common sense concern is that this is just chopped up hazardous waste," said Jeff Ruch, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a national nonprofit that has fought the EPA since 2009 over the federal agency's endorsement of ground tires in playgrounds and sports fields. Industry groups say dozens of studies have validated the safety of synthetic turf, which appeared on the market in the 1960s and included crumb rubber or other infill material, such as sand, in the 1990s to enhance the product. Today, there are more than 11,000 turf sports fields across the country, according to the trade group the Synthetic Turf Council. Each field uses 20,000 to 40,000 scrap tires, according to various studies and industry groups. "There are always things you can research more," said Dan Zielinski, spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. "But, given the body of research already done, had there been means for concern, I think we would have seen it." 126 athletes University of Washington assistant soccer coach Amy Griffin points to her list of cancer-stricken athletes as reason enough for concern. Eighty-two of the 126 athletes on her list are soccer goalies, players who were constantly diving into the synthetic turf