Page 1 of 3 Rick Doyle From: Abramson, Philip [Philip.Abramson@parks.nyc.gov] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:31 AM To: Rick Doyle Subject: RE: Estimated # of Synthetic Turf Sports Fields in U.S. No change in our policy re: syn. turf. Below is the info we released yesterday to the press. Statement from Deputy Commissioner of Capital Projects Amy Freitag: “There is no change in the Parks Department's policy on synthetic turf and in the internal memorandum, I incorrectly made a blanket statement. As technology evolves, we are replacing a single standard and exploring the use of a carpet-style turf, particularly for asphalt conversions.” Background: The directive was meant to apply only to the conversion of asphalt to synthetic turf fields where a carpet- style turf may be more appropriate. Carpet-style is better and more cost-effective for asphalt fields in good condition because 1) the turf “carpet” can be laid on top of the asphalt field without significant excavation and related subsurface work and 2) infill-type turf fields are not intended for sloped fields. In building sports fields, we will continue to explore all appropriate technologies, including natural fields. There is no public health danger at any of these fields. On public safety, Parks is working with the Department of Health, which is conducting a study examining the health and safety risks and benefits of synthetic turf fields. • On the Popularity of Synthetic Turf Fields: • Synthetic surfaces enable us to provide safe, high-quality playing fields to meet the explosive growth of sports leagues and extended playing seasons. • Players and leagues love them for their safety, playability and availability. • New York City is so densely populated that all players cannot be accommodated on our existing turf fields, which must be closed when muddy and for reseeding and turf establishment. The synthetic fields effectively increase the number of field hours available. • The synthetic turf and rubber pellets in Parks Department fields are the same as those used at thousands of professional, college, high school and city, county and town recreation sports fields across the country, including at Rutgers University, Harvard University and Giants Stadium. • On Safety: • Some researchers have contended that the PAHs, (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) contained in rubber crumbs made from recycled tires used in synthetic surface ballfields are possibly carcinogenic. They base that assertion on tests they conducted that used organic solvents to extract the maximum amount of PAHs from the rubber. They point out that it is unknown if these chemicals could be absorbed either by inhalation, contact or ingestion. In fact, studies have demonstrated that the PAHs cannot enter the body without the use of a chemical solvent that is much stronger than water, sweat or digestive juices. • PAHs are present any carbon-based product–in basketballs, footballs, toys and even grilled hamburgers. You are more likely to absorb PAHs from eating a grilled hamburger than from the 1/25/2008 Page 2 of 3 rubber pellets you would come into contact with while playing soccer. (source: “Carcinogens formed when meat is cooked,” Felton, Salmon & Knize, May 30, 2003, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory). • If a child was to eat a handful of crumb rubber, the particles will pass right through the body untouched. The human digestive system is unable to break down these compounds. In the same way, the rubber cannot be absorbed by the lungs or the skin. (source: “Toxicological evaluation for the hazard assessment of tire crumb for use in public playgrounds,” Birkholz, July 2003, University of Alberta). • While PAHs can be extracted from rubber particles through a limited extent, their low concentration poses no health risk from either oral or dermal exposure. (source: “Rubber granules as infill material in artificial turf fields,” 2006, Dutch National Institute for Public Health & the Environment). • On Environmental Impacts: • Synthetic turf fields use fewer resources than natural turf and do not require chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. • They are safer for our environment because the machinery used to maintain natural lawns pollutes the air and contributes to global warming. They also require copious amounts of water from the city’s potable water supply, much of which goes into the ecosystem with residues of all the chemicals used for lawn maintenance. • On Use: • Synthetic fields may remain open every day of the year, while natural fields must, to survive, be shut down for at least four or five months a year, limiting their use. The first public Astroturf fields in New York City (at Asphalt Green and Chelsea Park) have held up well over the years. • On the balancing act of access, cost, environmental impacts and community desires: • Synthetic turf is a creative addition to our tool kit and while it will never eliminate natural turf, it does expand our options for meeting the recreation needs of all New Yorkers. • Over the last ten years, the conversion of parkland to synthetic surfaces has been minimal while the commitment to New York City’s natural environment has been extensive (acquiring, restoring and improving natural areas, launching the Greenstreets program, preserving community gardens and planting trees). • On Studies • Understandably, there has been significant public interest in this issue, and we responded by asking the NYC Department of Health to look further into the issues. DOH has undertaken a major research project on synthetic turf with $100,000 in funding from the New York Community Trust. Parks worked with DOH on the research proposal and attended discussions with the Community Trust, along with the Public Advocate’s office. • This research study will be long and comprehensive, but DOH will soon produce Frequently Asked Questions as a short-term guide. 1/25/2008 Page 3 of 3 From: Rick Doyle [mailto:rick@syntheticturfcouncil.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:24 AM To: Abramson, Philip Cc: office@syntheticturfcouncil.org Subject: Estimated # of Synthetic Turf Sports Fields in U.S. Philip – Thanks for your note. The best estimate I have at this time is that there are about 3,500 full-size (60,000 sq. ft. or greater) sports fields in the U.S. FieldTurf, on its website, says that it has installed 1,706 sports fields, so if you believe that FT has about a 50% marketshare then the estimate is close. STC will be collecting actual and projected market statistics in the next month or so. Stay tuned. We are reading with interest the recent directives from NYC DPR and the media coverage. Cheers, Rick Rick Doyle, President Synthetic Turf Council www.syntheticturfcouncil.org 400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1500 Atlanta, GA 30339 Tel: 678.385.6720 Fax: 678.385.6501 Save the date! The STC Spring MembershipMeeting is scheduled for April 1 - 3. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Synthetic Turf From: "Abramson, Philip" Date: Wed, January 23, 2008 8:54 am To: , Hello, I work in the press office of the NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation. I’m trying to find out how many synthetic turf fields there are in the entire United States. Would you be able to provide me with this number today, or at least an estimate? Thanks! Phil Abramson Office of Public Affairs 1/25/2008