Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says the NSW Government should impose a moratorium on new artificial turf fields and playgrounds until the health and environmental risks are fully understood and are able to be mitigated.
See the Sun Herald’s investigation: “Threat of toxic playgrounds”
“We’ve got young kids on these playgrounds and teenagers on these sports fields. It’s essential that we take a precautionary approach and be sure of the risks before we roll out more of these potentially toxic fields,” said Ms Faehrmann.
Cate at the Northbridge Oval.
“Until we know exactly what the human health impacts are, the NSW Government should impose a moratorium on new artificial turf. And in the mean time pressure must be applied to the national regular to do the research that’s required.
“What’s of real concern is that there has been very little government oversight of this product, despite it being used every day by children and containing known carcinogens and corrosive chemicals.
“It’s even more worrying when we don’t know what the products are made out of. How can we begin to understand the health impacts if we don’t know which chemicals we are exposing our kids to?
Do you want your kids playing on artificial turf? More research is required.
“I’m hearing this turf can reach dangerous temperatures on hot summer days. Some overseas jurisdictions are even starting to rip out artificial turf and replacing it with natural turf because of these concerns.
“More and more councils and sporting organisations in Sydney are looking at artificial turf as a way to reduce maintenance costs and extend playing time in playgrounds and sports fields. From the information that’s out there I would urge them to think again,” said Ms Faehrmann.
One of the most commonly used polymers for artificial turf, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (M-class) rubber, has not been subject to any human health or environmental toxicological assessment by the Australian regulator, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) and the Department of Health.
A paper and review of the available literature on toxics in artificial turf was submitted to Marrickville Council by Dr Gavin L Edwards, an environmental toxicologist at the University of New South Wales. Read the submission here.
Specks of rubber found on the surface of the artificial turf sports field at Northbridge.
February 2nd, 2012 at 11:43 am
Greetings from California. I might add, noisy California. I was researching landscaping alternatives to sod lawns and came upon the topic of artificial turf / synthetic grass. The reason I’ve researched alternatives, is that on my street, gasoline-powered, high-decibel, never-ending leaf blower machines have ruled the street and its soundscape for quite some time now. They never stop, Monday through Saturday. They’ve been known to continue almost at the 8 o’clock hour in the evenings. I am reading your post with interest because it would certainly be nice for the community to have at least a tiny bit of quietude. Sadly, it’s not the case. While leaf blower manufacturers have advertised supposedly quiet machines, quiet machines are certainly not the case with landscaping contractors in my neighborhood.
I have recently been instructed by a quiet rights advocate in the United States that Xeriscaping is the solution to noise problems regarding landscaping. Wondered if you had come across Xeriscaping as an alternative to leaf blowing machines which present noise nuisances and also (to what degree I don’t know) are the subject of complaints here in the U.S. that they kick up all sorts of dust and toxins into the air and blow the materials through the air.
My primary interest is noise-related but I am also interested in reports of the materials used in manufacturing and installing artificial turf / synthetic grass. I don’t quite know what to make of all the research just yet.
Do they use Xeriscape in NSW and has it been presented as a safe alternative to sod grass landscapes? I would be interested to know. There is a Xeriscaping conference and expo approaching in a state near mine in February.
Thanks for allowing me to chime in; I’m interested in your thoughts.
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:40 pm
It’s reassuring to know that the Greens have decided to bring this to the attention of the NSW Government and the public about any health-related issues associated with synthetic turf.
I think one thing people need to understand that, in almost every situation, there will be no silver bullet in regards to solutions. Natural turf obvious requires more maintenance but if it’s significantly safer than the synthetic turf, it’s worth looking at sticking with natural turf.
February 10th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
I am sure you are absolutely correct about toxic turf but the alternative “living ” turf is grown out on the fertile Hawkesbury River flood plain and is using land that should be growing food for Sydney.
Maybe there is another alternative?