Gazette Letters: Use of artificial fields could be costly

Gazette Letters to the Editor 

Is it wise to subject children to a carcinogen?

I find the editor's position in "Turf wars," July 14, that "the safety of the county's children is not a matter for debate" very puzzling. Indeed, I agree that our children's safety should not be up for grabs, that their safety must be ensured, if this is what is meant.

But as for the artificial turf fields and tire crumb playgrounds being safe for children, that matter is clearly worthy of debate. The American Cancer Society and three federal agencies have just named 19 chemicals as potential causes of cancer that need further investigation.

Among these is the main component of tires, carbon black — that stuff children are covered with after hitting the turf on the soccer field or falling on the playground. As cancer takes the No. 2 killer spot behind heart disease, is it really wise to subject our children to yet another carcinogen while they are rapidly growing and absorbing the elements of their environment?

Anne Ambler, Silver Spring

Turf more expensive than thought

In response to ["Grass-roots gripes about artificial turf in Montgomery County gain traction," July 7], a few clarifications.

Montgomery County Public Schools has been spending more than $1 million per school field on their artificial turf fields — not the $865,000 estimate...

Respectful oversight on turf

In "Grass-roots gripes about artificial turf in Montgomery County gain traction," July 7, The Gazette reports that a County Council committee has directed three agencies to work together to weigh costs, benefits and risks and report back before a decision is made...