Artificial Turf: CDC Health Advisory

After the 'final' Artificial Turf Report was released by someone (the 'work group?' the county council? still unclear). I thought it important to remind everyone, that county council members, the scientists at MCPS, and their staff notwithstanding, the Centers for Disease Control did release an official Health Advisory in 2008 concerning Artificial Turf. And so, in the interest of real science, here it is.

This is an official CDC HEALTH ADVISORY

Distributed via Health Alert Network
16:10 EDT (4:10 PM EDT)
CDCHAN-00275-2008-06-18-ADV-N

Potential Exposure to Lead in Artificial Turf: Public Health Issues, Actions, and Recommendations

Public Health Issues

In the course of conducting a routine health investigation at a metal facility in Newark, NJ, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) tested a nearby community athletic field for lead contamination. Samples taken from the field showed high levels of lead in the field dust, but the lead did not come from the scrap metal facility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is partnering with its sister-agency, ATSDR, to monitor this situation because of CDC's expertise in lead poisoning prevention.

After determining that the lead source was the artificial turf, NJDHSS began to test other artificial turf fields looking for similar high lead levels in artificial turf fibers. These findings raised concerns about potentially high lead levels in artificial turf used in other locations including fields and playgrounds. NJDHSS tested a limited sample of athletic fields in New Jersey. Any questions regarding the specific fields tested should be directed to NJDHSS.

As determined by NJDHSS, limited sampling of additional athletic fields in New Jersey and commercial products indicates that artificial turf made of nylon or nylon/polyethylene blend fibers contains levels of lead that pose a potential public health concern. Tests of artificial turf fields made with only polyethylene fibers showed that these fields contained very low levels of lead.

Information provided by NJDHSS to CDC and ATSDR indicates that some of the fields with elevated lead in either dust and/or turf fiber samples were weathered and visibly dusty. Fields that are old, that are used frequently, and that are exposed to the weather break down into dust as the turf fibers are worn or demonstrate progressive signs of weathering, including fibers that are abraded, faded or broken. These factors should be considered when evaluating the potential for harmful lead exposures from a given field.

The risk for harmful lead exposure is low from new fields with elevated lead levels in their turf fibers because the turf fibers are still intact and the lead is unlikely to be available for harmful exposures to occur. As the turf ages and weathers, lead is released in dust that could then be ingested or inhaled, and the risk for harmful exposure increases. If exposures do occur, CDC currently does not know how much lead the body will absorb; however, if enough lead is absorbed, it can cause neurological development symptoms (e.g. deficits in IQ). Additional tests are being performed by NJDHSS to help us better understand the absorption of lead from these products.

In general, children less than 6 years old are more likely to be affected by lead than adults because of increased contact with lead sources in the environment, including lead contaminated house dust and soil. Children also absorb lead more easily. Children's developing nervous systems are also more susceptible to the adverse health effects of lead including developmental delay and behavioral problems.

It should be emphasized that although turf testing has been limited to the state of New Jersey, no cases of elevated blood lead levels in children have been linked to artificial turf on athletic fields in New Jersey and elsewhere. Concerned parents should talk to their child's pediatrician about potential and known sources of lead in their children's environment and whether their children should have a blood lead test. This is a simple blood test that is paid for by most private insurers and by Medicaid.

NJDHSS has asked the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate this potential problem and CDC and ATSDR are currently waiting for information from CPSC to help guide future public health recommendations and actions.

Interim Public Health Actions Related to Testing Artificial Turf Products and Reducing Potential Exposures to Lead

NJDHHS's testing of artificial turf fields was limited and only sampled turf containing nylon. Since NJDHHS, CDC and ATSDR did not test fields composed of substances other than nylon and nylon/polyethelene blend, we do not know if lead is also a component in other types of artificial turf. Additionally, not necessarily all turf made of nylon contains elevated amounts of lead.

CDC has long recommended the elimination of all nonessential uses of lead. Because it is unclear whether all artificial turf contains lead at this time, CDC and ATSDR only recommend testing artificial turf fields that appear worn or weathered.

As a precaution, until further guidance is available from CPSC and until we have more information about the absorption of lead from artificial turf products and its capability of harm, CDC and ATSDR recommend:

· Testing turf that has fibers that are abraded, faded or broken, contains visible dust, and that is made from nylon or nylon-blend fibers. Information about testing is provided later in this alert.

· If the dust contains more than 400 ppm lead, do not allow turf access for children under the age of 6 years.

· If access is restricted, care should be taken to ensure that alternative sites contain lead levels less than 400 ppm.

· Not testing turf made from polyethylene-only fibers. This recommendation is based on currently available data.

· Not testing turf made from nylon or nylon blends that is not worn and does not contain visible dust. These fields should be routinely monitored for wear and dust generation.

· Replacing fields as soon as practicable if worn and dusty, as a precautionary measure.
CDC recommends testing children's blood lead levels in accordance with state guidelines. Concerned parents/caregivers should consult their medical providers for further information.

General Recommendations on the Use of Fields with Artificial Turf

At this time, CDC does not yet understand the potential risks associated with exposure to dust from worn artificial turf. The following precautions can be taken to minimize any potential risk.

· Field managers should consider implementing dust-suppression measures. Suggestions for dust-suppression methods can be found at NJDHSS's website, which is provided in the additional information section.

· Children ages 6 and younger are most susceptible to lead's harmful health effects. To protect the public, in particular young children, consider posting signs indicating that:

1. After playing on the field, individuals are encouraged to perform aggressive hand and body washing for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water.

2. Clothes worn on the field should be taken off and turned inside out as soon as possible after using the field to avoid tracking contaminated dust to other places. In vehicles, people can sit on a large towel or blanket if it is not feasible to remove their clothes. These clothes, towels, and blankets should be washed separately and shoes worn on the field should be kept outside of the home.

3. Eating while on the field or turf product is discouraged.

4. Avoid contaminating drinking containers with dust and fibers from the field. When not drinking, close them and keep them in a bag, cooler, or other covered container on the side of the field.
General Lead Poisoning Prevention Recommendations

Especially in houses where children are present, parents, day care providers and other child care providers should follow lead safety practices regardless of the type of playing surface. These practices can help prevent children from being exposed to the many sources of lead in the environment.

1. Wash children's hands frequently and always before they eat.

2. Do not eat food or use pacifiers that have been dropped on the floor or outside.

3. Remove shoes when entering the house or use door mats.

4. Have your house inspected for lead if it was built before 1978.

5. Use lead-safe work practices when doing work that disturbs lead-painted surfaces.

Lead Testing of Artificial Turf Fields

Facility managers who choose to have the turf at a field tested for lead should contact their local or state department of health and/or environment about appropriate sample collection and analytic methods. CDC and ATSDR recommend using appropriate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or American Society for Testing and Materials methods.

Additional Information

For additional information about testing, dust suppression measures, and other topics related to NJDHSS's work to address lead in artificial turf visit NJDHSS's artificial turf website at http://www.state.nj.us/health/artificialturf/index.shtml.

For a list of state health departments, visit the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTHO) site at http://www.astho.org/index.php?template=regional_links.php.

ASTHO also provides a list of state environmental health directors at: http://www.astho.org/index.php?template=enhancing_environmental_health_s.html.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates consumer products, including artificial turf. Additional information about CPSC and artificial turf can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

## This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Public Information Officers, Epidemiologists and HAN Coordinators as well as Clinician organizations ##

How @mcps hides the purchase of artificial turf football fields in the Operating Budget. @mcps @mocoboe

Where does the money for artificial turf football/soccer/lacrosse fields come from in the MCPS budget?

One might think that artificial turf fields are a capital expense.  But no, MCPS has buried the funding of these stadium fields deep within the Operating Budget.  That means that teacher salaries and classroom supplies are competing with artificial turf for Operating Budget funds.  

How do we know this?  Well we certainly did not find this out by reading the MCPS Operating Budget.  The MCPS Operating Budget makes no mention of the millions spent on artificial turf fields.  Look for yourself.  

In 2018, the Parents' Coalition asked the Superintendent to explain his reference to something called the Artificial Turf Field Program.  Sounds official, doesn't it?  Yet, it is no where to be found in the actual MCPS budgets.  

The answer was that the funds used for artificial turf stadiums are buried in the MCPS Real Estate Management Fund.  See page 21 of the Operating Budget.  The MCPS Real Estate Management Fund is supported by "multiple revenue sources."  

That means that MCPS has money coming in from the rental of buildings, classrooms, cell towers, FIELD TRIPS... and SOMEONE has privately decided that those funds should be automatically diverted to the purchase of artificial turf stadiums and not used to support teachers or classrooms.  

Who made that decision? When was the decision made? 

Field Trips?  Yes, you read that correctly.  Field Trip fees helped pay for artificial turf stadiums.   

Next time you hear about MCPS spending restrictions or budget cuts see if any mention is made of the millions being secretly diverted to pay for this capital expense using operating budget funds.  

**************

Email detailing source of artificial turf purchase below. 

Note that the appropriation documents that were requested were NOT supplied. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 Zuckerman, Andrew <Andrew_Zuckerman@mcpsmd.org>

To:​You​

Mon 7/23/2018 9:34 PM

Dear Ms. Sartucci,

 

Thank you for your email inquiring about the replacement of the artificial turf field at Richard Montgomery High School.  As you note, the Board of Education approved the award of contract for this project at the June 25, 2018, meeting.

 

The Real Estate Management Fund is a self-supporting entrepreneurial fund that manages several property related activities that involve external revenue.  One of these activities is the artificial turf program.  Multiple revenue sources support the activities within the Real Estate Management Fund, such as revenues from lease rentals, and each is accounted for individually within the larger fund.  For the artificial turf program fund, revenues are collected from sources including partnership agreements and fees from Community Use of Public Facilities.  These artificial turf related revenues are used to support artificial turf field replacement, such as at Richard Montgomery High School. 

 

Expenditures for the Real Estate Management Fund are appropriated annually by the County Council as part of the operating budget, as is the case with other entrepreneurial funds.  In the FY19 budget, the Real Estate Management Fund has a total appropriation of $3.953 million.  The $562,721 expenditure for the replacement of the Richard Montgomery High School artificial turf field is supported within this appropriation.

 

In the final approved FY19 operating budget document, the appropriation amount for the Real Estate Management Fund can be found on page 7-16. A program description of the Real Estate Management Fund can be found in the Superintendent’s Recommended FY19 Operating Budget on page 7-14.  Both of these documents can be accessed on the MCPS website at the following link:

 

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/

 

Detail on the artificial turf program fund has been provided to the County Council during budget deliberations.  At this time, revenues in the artificial turf program fund have resulted in a current fund balance of approximately $2.2 million.    

 

Thank you,

 

Andrew Zuckerman

Chief Operating Officer

Montgomery County Public Schools

 

********************************************************

Dear Superintendent Smith,

At the June 25, 2018, Board of Education meeting you presented a Memorandum that requested approval for Award of Contract—Replacement of Artificial Turf Field at Richard Montgomery High School.

https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/AZUHSB49CE62/$file/Award%20Cont%20Replace%20Turf%20Richard%20Montgomery%20HS.pdf

In your Memorandum you state:  

WHEREAS, The funds are available in the Artificial Turf Field Program;

At the Board of Education meeting, Mr. Zuckerman stated that the funding appropriation for this expenditure had already been obtained from the County Council. 

Please provide a copy of the appropriation documents that support his statement.  

In addition, please provide the budget documents that detail the funds currently in the Artificial Turf Field Program.  A link to the page of the MCPS Operating Budget where these funds are detailed would be a helpful response.

Thank you for your assistance.

Janis Zink Sartucci

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, MD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo credit

Statement to Montgomery County Council

ON RECORD:

My name is Marci C. I am a lifelong resident of MontgomeryCounty, and currently live in Poolesville, Maryland.

I come before you to speak about health and safety concerns regarding the artificial turf field that is in the planning stage for Richard MontgomeryHigh School. I want to ask you today if the type of turf and infill to be used has been determined. If so, and it if is an artificial turf field that has rubber infill, I have a lot of information about the possible health and safety issues of rubber crumb infill. I hope you will look over all of this information that I have compiled before agreeing to fund artificial turf fields in MCPS.

Artificial turf is comprised of grass (polyethylene or polypropylene fibers) woven like a rug, and the material that is raked in between the grass fibers which creates a cushion is referred to as "infill," approximately 100 tons of ground-up rubber on each artificial turf field. On a hot summer day, the rubber infill can heat up to over 140 degrees F. and outgasses toxic compounds into the air, some of which are known to be carcinogens. Hazardous metals from the rubber crumbs are leached into the ground water. Dust particles from these crumbs are easily inhaled. There is no barrier between rubber crumbs and the athletes playing on the fields. Skin rashes, nasal and eye irritations from these corrosive compounds, as well as playing in excessive heat are real conditions.

Please keep an open mind and read the attached studies regarding the toxicity of the infill, and the temperatures the material can reached during playing time, and I think you will find, as I did, that there is some question as to whether this type of field is totally safe for our children.

There are alternative infills on the market, STF Infill™ for one, which is a safe and sanitary synthetic turf infill, nontoxic, and free from heavy metals, waste, steel and fiberglass byproducts. It does not heat up to the temperatures that rubber does. Literature and testing information on the STF Infill™ is provided for you to look over further, and to pass along to the appropriate persons.

I would also like to address the injuries to athletes playing on artificial turf. Skin abrasion is the largest concern, as artificial turf is more abrasive than grass. Turf wounds are the exact skin injury that allow for MRSA transmission and contraction. Professional NFL players average 2 to 3 turf abrasions per week on artificial turf. High school football players in Texashave 204 artificial turf fields in their 1134 high schools stadiums, and average 16 times higher than the estimated national average for MRSA infections, according to 3 studies conducted by Texas Department of State Health Services.

There are also more reported lower limb injuries reported with knee and ankle injuries due to instability of the turf, and cleat traction. These same injuries were also reported by soccer players.

Professional football players were polled in a survey regarding playing surfaces and 72% said they would prefer to play on grass fields to prevent injury. 65% said that playing on artificial turf contributes to more injury. 74% said artificial turf causes more soreness and fatigue when played on.

We need to be the voice for our children, who don't have a say in this matter.

With that being said about the potential health risks of an artificial turf field, I would like address the upkeep of the artificial turf, namely sanitizing. There is a regularly scheduled maintenance program that needs to be adhered to, and I am curious to know if all concerned are aware of it.

Organic matter such as airborne dirt, blood, sweat, spit, skin, and food allow bacteria to proliferate and live. The artificial turf itself will get covered with these things and be a breeding ground and host to organisms. Artificial turf needs to be regularly professional maintained, disinfected, and treated with antimicrobial agents to yield protection against spread of MRSA infections, and inhibit growth of mold, mildew, algae, fungi, and other bacteria on the surface of the field.

If staph is on the skin, and players get turf wounds, they are leaving behind their skin on the turf. I have strong feelings about the turf being disinfected routinely. These services need to be contracted for and worked into any operating budget the school board has for artificial turf fields in one and all county high school stadiums.

Entire schools need to be proactively treated (not just the athletic areas, but all areas, including desks, chairs, doorknobs, computer keyboards, cafeteria tables, etc.) with antimicrobial technology (BioShield 75™) that will destroy microbes on contact, and not allow them to grow at all. Schools would be much healthier environments. Inside and out.

"...artificial turf price turned out to be $205,178 over the outside contributions. That money had to be made up from the MCPS budget."

WHEREAS, The cost of the project is approximately $1.3 million

Public Comment on

Amendment to the FY15-20 Capital Improvements Program and

Supplemental Appropriation #1-S15-CMCPS-l to the FY15 Capital Budget

Montgomery County Public Schools

Building Modifications and Program Improvements (No. 076506), $1,300,000

Winston Churchill High School Artificial Turf

July 22, 2014

The Montgomery County Council has been in this position before and your last decision on a similar Montgomery County Board of Education proposal cost taxpayers $205,178.

The Board of Education has made it very clear in their proposal to install artificial turf at Churchill High School that if the outside funding is not sufficient the Board of Education will make up the difference from the MCPS budget.

That is exactly the same scenario as with the Wootton High School artificial turf deal. The Board of Education told you the field would be paid for from outside funds. However, as usual, the Board of Education does not put out a Request for Proposal or take bids when they install an artificial turf football field. These construction projects are not bid out and the sole source supplier, FieldTurf, can set any price they desire for these projects. The Wootton High School artificial turf price turned out to be $205,178 over the outside contributions. That money had to be made up from the MCPS budget.

The proposal before you today is the same as the Wootton High School proposal. The Board of Education says the project will cost “approximately” $1.3 million. If the project goes over $1.3 million where will the extra funds come from? Will taxpayers once again be on the hook for the surprise increase in cost on a project that was presented as only using outside funding? The memo from Superintendent Starr to the Board of Education once again says that MCPS will make up any difference in cost.

If the project cost exceeds the $1.3 million contribution amount, the shortfall may be met through the funds collected for community use and the savings accumulated each year via not having to maintain the current grass field---such as grass cutting, fertilizing, overseeding, and irrigating expenses (Page 1 of Superintendent Joshua Starr's memo to BOE. Circle 4 in today's packet.)

The assertion that any surprise increase in cost can be made up from community use is not based on known facts. MCPS is estimating that the fees from community use of the existing 6 artificial turf fields will only bring in $40,000 in the next year. At that rate it is going to take the next 5 years to pay off the Wootton High School debt. Any Churchill High School debt wouldn't be paid back from these fees until after 2019.

Please note that the Churchill lease is for 10 years. That is beyond the useful life of an artificial turf field. The Walter Johnson High School field is already disintegrating after only 5 years and the Richard Montgomery High School field is fading after only 6 years. 19 tons of crumb rubber washed off the Richard Montgomery High School artificial turf field in the first 2 years and had to be replaced. The annual maintenance cost of MCPS artificial turf fields is not known.

Fun fact: Each crumb rubber artificial turf field requires 120 tons of crumb rubber. The 6 current MCPS artificial turf fields require a total of 720 tons of crumb rubber to remain playable. That means that MCPS and the Montgomery County government have dumped approximately140,000 shredded used tires onto sports fields in the county.

Janis Zink Sartucci

____________________________________

MCPS Board of Education FY 2014 Budget Questions and Answers

27. Chapter 8-59 under realignment notes a realignment of $40,000 from the Field Trip Fund to support artificial turf replacement costs. Please explain.

Budget page reference: 8-59

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) standard for high school stadium fields is a natural grass surface with an irrigation system. Stadium fields require a high level of maintenance that includes regular cycles of mowing, watering, fertilization, and aeration to maintain the fields in acceptable condition for various high school athletic events. Unfortunately, the majority of high schools and their Booster Clubs cannot make the financial commitment that is necessary to maintain a natural grass field in excellent playing condition. Therefore, there is a large disparity in the condition of stadium fields across the county.

The Department of Facilities Management (DFM) and the Interscholastic Athletics Unit staff have evaluated the use of artificial turf for MCPS high school stadium fields. Artificial turf provides a safe and durable surface for various athletic events and requires very little maintenance. The installation of artificial turf fields will eliminate the disparity in the condition of stadium fields among high schools across the county. The life expectancy of artificial turf fields is approximately ten years. The ten-year life-cycle cost to install artificial turf is approximately the same as the ten-year life-cycle cost to install and properly maintain a natural grass field.

A turf reserve fund has been created to build up funds necessary to cover future replacement of artificial turf after ten years.  The source of funding for this reserve fund is a portion of the Interagency Coordinating Board (ICB) fees that are charged for the rental of these turf fields, and the funds budgeted in the interscholastic athletics account that will no longer be needed to maintain the natural turf fields. 

During development of the FY 2014 budget, DFM estimated that annual payments of approximately $40,000 will be received from the ICB for the turf reserve fund.  Since there was excess appropriation available in the Field Trip Fund, appropriation was moved from the Field Trip Fund to the Real Estate Management Fund to cover the $40,000 that will be received from the ICB in FY 2014.

----------------------------------------------------------------

ACTION

6.2.4

Office of the Superintendent of Schools

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Rockville, Maryland

June 24, 2013

MEMORANDUM

To: Members of the Board of Education

From: Joshua P. Starr, Superintendent of Schools

Subject: Award of Contract—Thomas S. Wootton High School Artificial Turf Project

WHEREAS, On November 13, 2012, the Montgomery County Board of Education approved the

$200,000 contribution from the Thomas S. Wootton High School Booster Club and the $900,000

contribution from the Bethesda Soccer Club, in accordance with Policy CNE, Facility

Improvements That Are Not Funded With Montgomery County Revenues, for the artificial turf

installation on the stadium field at Thomas S. Wootton High School; and

WHEREAS, On February 5, 2013, the Montgomery County Council approved a supplemental

appropriation for the sum of $1.1 million in contribution funds; and

WHEREAS, Montgomery County Public Schools is a member of The Keystone Purchasing

Network, part of the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies, which maintains a bid

with FieldTurf USA Inc. for the installation of artificial turf fields; and

WHEREAS, Staff in the Department of Facilities Management solicited a proposal from

FieldTurf USA, Inc. based on the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies bid; and

WHEREAS, FieldTurf USA, Inc. submitted a proposal in the amount of $1,305,178 for the

installation of artificial turf and associated site work at Thomas S. Wootton High School; and

WHEREAS, Staff in the Department of Facilities Management has reviewed the proposal and

finds the cost reasonable for the scope of work; andMembers of the Board of Education 2 June 24, 2013

WHEREAS, The proposed cost exceeds the $1.1 million contribution amount by $205,178. The

November 13, 2012, Board action states that if the project exceeds the $1.1 million contribution

amount, the shortfall can be paid through funds collected for community use and the savings

accumulated each year from not having to maintain the current grass field; and

WHEREAS, FieldTurf USA, Inc. has completed similar work successfully for Montgomery

County Public Schools; now therefore be it

Resolved, That a contract in the amount of $1,305,178 be awarded to FieldTurf USA, Inc. for the

artificial turf installation at Thomas S. Wootton High School stadium field, contingent upon

receipt of the contributions from the Thomas S. Wootton High School Booster Club and the

Bethesda Soccer Club.

JPS:LAB:JS:tgm

Open letter on Blair High School artificial turf

May 6, 2009

Patricia McManus
Supervisor, Design Section
Park Development Division
Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Dear Ms McManus,

I recently read an article in the April 23 edition of Montgomery Blair HS newspaper Silver Chips, discussing the decision to install artificial turf at Blazer Field at Montgomery Blair HS. The article quoted you extensively.

As a parent of a Blair athlete (class of 2011) and friend to many other Blair athletes and their families, I am both interested and concerned regarding this decision. I wonder if you could answer a few questions raised by the article?

The article stated that "the artificial turf will reduce the risk of player injuries". That would certainly be great news! However, a study in the August 2007 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Comparison of the incidence, nature and cause of injuries sustained on grass and new generation artificial turf by male and female football [soccer] players) concluded that "There were no major differences in the incidence, severity, nature or cause of match injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and grass by either male or female players." An earlier study in the October 2004 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine (Incidence, Causes, and Severity of High School Football Injuries on FieldTurf Versus Natural Grass) had mixed results, reporting higher incidence of overall injuries on artificial turf, but lower incidence of serious injury. This study concluded "Although similarities existed between FieldTurf and natural grass over a 5-year period of competitive play, both surfaces also exhibited unique injury patterns that warrant further investigation." So, on what basis can we conclude that the new artificial turf will actually reduce injuries to our children?

Have ongoing maintenance costs been budgeted for? At a cost of $1.2 M ("exceeding initial estimates" according to the article), up-front cost is approximately $400,000 greater than a similar natural grass field. One could use that difference to spend $40,000 per year for grass field maintenance for ten years. Note that the expected lifetime of an artificial turf playing field is ten years (according to the Association of Synthetic Grass Installers) and only seven years for heavy use such as soccer (according to Dow Chemical, which manufactures artificial turf materials). Where will maintenance funds for the artificial turf come from, and how much has been budgeted?

Artificial turn can get much hotter (as much as 60 degrees) than natural grass. Given where we live, heat (think of August football practice!) is a great concern. A measurement in New York on a 78 degree day showed a natural grass surface in direct sunlight at 85 degrees, while an adjacent artificial turf surface was 140 degrees. According to Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, injury can occur at temperatures above 122 degrees. Will the new surface be watered down before practices and games whenever the surface is too hot?

You are quoted in the sidebar to the article as saying "there is no difference in risk of disease between natural and artificial turf". However, the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) is not so certain. In an official CDS Health Advisory issued June 8, 2008 (Potential Exposure to Lead in Artificial Turf: Public Health Issues, Actions, and Recommendations), the CDC stated "At this time, CDC does not yet understand the potential risks associated with exposure to dust from worn artificial turf." If the CDC does not yet understand, on what basis do you and the Park and Planning Commission? The CDC advisory goes on to recommend dust suppression measures. Will this be done for the Blair HS field? The CDC also recommends posting signs at artificial turf fields that say: "After playing on the field, individuals are encouraged to perform aggressive hand and body washing for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water. Clothes worn on the field should be taken off and turned inside out as soon as possible after using the field to avoid tracking contaminated dust to other places. In vehicles, people can sit on a large towel or blanket if it is not feasible to remove their clothes. These clothes, towels, and blankets should be washed separately and shoes worn on the field should be kept outside of the home." Will such a sign be posted at Blazer Field? Even if it is, do we expect our high school athletes to actually follow these recommendations?

Finally, might there be an increased risk of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staph Aureus) infection from playing on artificial turf? In a study in the February 3, 2005 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (A Clone of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Professional Football Players), an increased incidence of MRSA infection was detected, and one of the conclusions was (emphasis added): "One important player-level factor was skin abrasions, or turf burns. All MRSA skin abscesses developed at sites of turf burns on areas of skin not covered by a uniform (e.g., elbows and forearms). These abrasions were usually left uncovered, and when combined with frequent skin-to-skin contact throughout the football season, probably constituted both the source and the vehicle for transmission." How will we ensure that the inevitable turf burns our children will obtain while playing on the new artificial turf field do not lead to increased MRSA infection, as it did for the professional football team (St. Louis Rams) in the study?

Montgomery Blair HS deserves a great, safe playing field for its football, soccer and lacrosse teams. How can we be confident that the artificial turf now planned will deliver that, at a cost less than, or similar to, a natural grass field?

I look forward to hearing your responses to my questions.

Respectfully,
Jerry Kickenson

Thanks to Mr. Kickenson for making this letter available to the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland for publication.

Audio: Leventhal "I'd like to feel we are providing some oversight"

Audio of July 1, 2010 Montgomery County Council Transportation, Energy & Environment Hearing on artificial turf on county fields. 

The stated focus of this hearing was to address the environmental issues related to artificial turf.  At the conclusion of this hearing the Council committee requested that a report be created to address the following questions:

• life cycle cost comparison of natural grass versus artificial turf
• water quality of runoff from natural grass versus artificial turf (use Blair HS field)
• environmental impact
• maintenance
• fertilizer

The Work Group has now issued their draft report. Unfortunately, the Work Group did not get their report to the committee by the end of 2010 as requested, and did not cover all of the issues requested by the Council committee.  The committee consisted of Councilmembers Nancy Floreen, Roger Berliner and George Leventhal.

Here is an index of the discussion found in this audio recording of the July 1, 2010 T&E Committee hearing. 

Minute:
4:20 Start of Artificial Turf discussion - Council staffer Keith Levchenko opens the discussion.
8:35 Joe Lavorgna "with MCPS" introductory remarks
14:16 Berliner on cost effectiveness test
17:20 Leventhal on disposal of artificial turf - is infill recycled car tires?
19:00 Joe Lavorgna "with MCPS" answers YES infill is recycled car tires and can all be recycled

20:25 Exclusive artificial turf vendor (FieldTurf) called to the table
22:10 Berliner statement on Council monitoring artificial turf in 6 months and Leventhal statement on not practice of Council to call vendor to give comment at a public hearing. Leventhal speaks to vendor pitching their product at public comment table. 
27:00 Field Turf Regional Manager speaks to recycling of artificial turf "every single component will be recycled"
28:00 Berliner, "put that in writing"
29:00 Leventhal, "how was this vendor selected"-  MCPS Director James Song, "product review that we went through - thorough review - intent to continue with Field Turf" - "not competitively bid" 

31:00 Leventhal - should give guidance to MCPS that artificial turf will be recycled - "this one vendor may or may not be the future vendor" [Note Field Turf has an exclusive deal with Montgomery County for 5 Years, yet this was not disclosed at this hearing]
32:00 Leventhal, "I'd like to feel that we are exercising some oversight. That we are providing some push here...We're not just a passive recipient of assurances from the school system, that we are actually guiding the process to some degree."
33:00 Floreen on no recycling will be required of Montgomery County facilities
34:30 Berliner on water quality issues associated with artificial turf
35:40 Lavorgna "with MCPS" we are not doing any  water sampling of the water runoff from the artificial turf fields"

44:00 Leventhal "are artificial turf fields safe for the environment"
47:00 Leventhal "the rain comes down"

50:00 Leventhal "90 day study" measure costs and environmental impact
57:20 "FieldTurf has many, many competitors" [Note: Yet not one has been allowed to bid on the installation of artificial turf on Montgomery County or MCPS fields.]

1:02:00  MCPS offers to work with County agencies to assess water quality issues
1:04:00 Leventhal "what is next decision point"
1:07:00 Leventhal "is it feasible to construct some sort of comparison...of water quality"
1:14:00 Leventhal "school system can provide very basic information on fertilizer, maintenance, cost..." - "not really seeing that"
1:17:00 Berliner "in addition to Mr. Leventhal's request which I believe there is agreement on..." - "collaborative process" - "...inconclusive nature as to the water quality issues" - "...you said you could monitor this piece" - "what costs associated with that" - "can we use Blair for this purpose"

1:20:00  Berliner "When you come back at the end of this calendar year [2010] with your life cycle cost comparison of grass versus turf that we also have this information..." - runoff from grass versus artificial turf - use Blair field for testing
1:27:00 Berliner on needing a report "holding up a document" - water quality is an important piece
1:43:00 Berliner "We will come back at the end of the year and you will advise us as to the results with respect to that."

Link to Audio



UPDATE:  Final Report at this link.

Starr funding Artificial Turf for Churchill High School (Yea for the MCPS Slush Fund!)

Here's the memo from Superintendent Joshua Starr for the installation of artificial turf at Churchill High School. You remember Churchill?  The school with the great natural grass field that didn't want artificial turf. Well, they are getting one anyway!  

Once again MCPS has money to burn and will fund the cost of this field above what can be obtained from a private entity.  Interesting that the private entities that want to use these fields can never afford to pay 100% of the cost!  That must be why they want to do these fields with MCPS! MCPS picks up the difference.  Thanks MCPS Operating Budget! 

Don't be fooled by the fake memo from Superintendent Starr that says any cost overruns will be paid for by user fees.  Any fees won't be collected until years down the road and we already know that these fields only bring in pennies in user fees!  

We already saw this at Wootton High School.  When the costs go over what the private entity will pay, the Board of Education simply coughs up the cash! 

$205,178 in cash was kicked in by the Board of Education for the Wootton High School plastic grass field when the FieldTurf (surprise) cost went over the MCPS estimate (another surprise). But, no worries! The Board of Education can always dip into the MCPS slush fund for plastic grass! (Mold in schools? No.)

(See page 31 of Board minutes for approval of cash for Wootton HS plastic grass.)

Apr 29, 2014 - Business Meeting Agenda

  

Consent Items - 1:30 p.m.

Artificial Turf Field Installation - Winston Churchill HS

During summer 2013, the Department of Facilities Management was contacted about the possibility of installing artificial turf on the stadium field at Winston Churchill High School. Staff in the Department of Facilities Management evaluated the feasibility of artificial turf installation at Winston Churchill High School and determined that the current grass stadium field may be replaced with artificial turf.

Subsequently, staff publicly advertised a Request for Proposals for private organizations that would be interested in participating in the private/public partnership to install the artificial turf on the Winston Churchill High School stadium field. Only two proposals were received—the Bethesda Lacrosse/Potomac Soccer Association and Montgomery Soccer, Inc.  The top-rated proposal from the Bethesda LaCrosse/Potomac Soccer Association includes a $1.1 million contribution toward the installation of artificial turf at Winston Churchill High School in return for approximately 1,000 hours of use per year for a 10-year period.

Further, the Winston Churchill High School Booster Club submitted a letter of commitment to raise and contribute $200,000 toward the installation of artificial turf.  These two offers total    $1.3 million in private contributions, which is the estimated cost to install artificial turf at Winston Churchill High School.  If the project cost exceeds the $1.3 million contribution amount, the shortfall may be paid through the funds collected for community use and the savings accumulated each year from not having to maintain the current grass field—such as grass cutting, fertilizing, over-seeding, and irrigating.  It is anticipated that approximately 150 hours or more, pending weather conditions, will be available for the community to use the artificial turf field after calculating hours used by the school and the Bethesda Lacrosse/Potomac Soccer Association.

The proposed project timeline to complete the work is by spring 2015, understanding the time it takes for design, permitting, construction bids, and award. In the event an award is made by the Board of Education, staff in the Department of Facilities Management will develop a detailed project schedule and determine the final completion date.

I recommend your approval of the artificial turf installation on the Winston Churchill High School stadium field. Given the shortage of playing fields available in the county and the constant demand for use of our school fields, the artificial turf on the stadium field is a positive solution that will provide safer playing conditions for Montgomery County Public Schools students while allowing many community hours for use.  Furthermore, the entire project will be funded privately without having an impact on our current budgets. The following resolution is recommended for your approval:

WHEREAS,  There  is  an  interest  to  install  artificial  turf  on  the  stadium  field   at Winston Churchill High School; and

WHEREAS, Artificial turf on the stadium field at Winston Churchill High School will provide safer playing conditions and allow significantly more hours of use than the current grass field; and

WHEREAS, Artificial turf would benefit the school and the community; and

WHEREAS, In January 2013, staff in the Department of Facilities Management publicly advertised for Request for Proposals from private organizations for partnering on the installation and shared use of an artificial turf field at the Winston Churchill High School stadium field; and

WHEREAS, Two responses to the Request for Proposals were submitted and the Bethesda Lacrosse/Potomac Soccer Association’s proposal was selected, which includes a contribution of $1.1 million toward the cost of engineering, permitting, and installation of an artificial turf stadium field in exchange for a preferred use schedule agreement for a period of 10 years; and

WHEREAS, The Winston Churchill High School Booster Club has requested permission to raise and contribute $200,000 for the shared cost of the artificial turf field; and

WHEREAS, The cost of the project is approximately $1.3 million; and

WHEREAS, Staff has reviewed this request for compliance with Board of Education Policy CNE, Facility Improvements That Are Not Funded with Montgomery County Revenues, and finds that it complies with the criteria for acceptable contributions established in the policy; now therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Education approves the request of the Winston Churchill High School Booster Club to raise and contribute $200,000 for the artificial turf installation on the stadium field at Winston Churchill High School; and be it further

Resolved, That the contributions from the Bethesda Lacrosse/Potomac Soccer Association and the Winston Churchill High School Booster Club be accepted in accordance with Board of Education Policy CNE, Facility Improvements That Are Not Funded with Montgomery County Revenues; and be it further

Resolved, That a Stadium Field Agreement be executed between Montgomery County Public Schools and the Bethesda Lacrosse/Potomac Soccer Association for the sum of $1.1 million; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Education president and the superintendent of schools be authorized to execute the documents necessary for this transaction; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Education requests a Fiscal Year 2014 supplemental appropriation and amendment to the Fiscal Year 2013–2018 Capital Improvements Program in the amount of $1.3 million to fund the installation of artificial turf at Winston Churchill High School; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the county executive and the County Council for consideration and action.