Synthetic Turf – Not Supported by Science as a Safe Solution

"None of this fits with Vancouver’s ambition to be the Greenest City, or with the overarching need to protect the environment and deal with the climate emergency. There are climate impacts to consider: synthetic turf is a Lifecycle GHG Emitter of 108.2 tons CO2 equivalent over 10 years compared to a grass sport field that acts like a carbon sink to remove and store 16.9 tons CO2 equivalent over the same period. In addition, living grass can remove pollutants from the air, cool the playing surface and air above, and filter rainwater, all of which help in the fight against climate change."

Rebekah ThomsonJuly 19, 2019Environment, Safety, Human health, Climate change, Stewardship

Synthetic Turf Will Contribute to Greenhouse Gas Problems

“Given that most plastic carpets are made out of polyethylene — the plastic found to release [methane and ethylene] at the highest rate — and given the high surface area occupied by this material, including each individual blade of plastic ‘grass,’ synthetic turf likely contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. I strongly urge you to consider how you can reduce these gases through policies restricting the installation of synthetic turf, as well as other synthetic surfaces, to guide consumers to make better choices and reduce plastic production everywhere we can.”

Rebekah ThomsonJune 5, 2019Environment, Climate change, Plastic pollution

Artificial Turf May Equal Real Litigation

“I am writing this letter as a concerned part-time resident of Martha’s Vineyard and an attorney with experience in mass tort litigation — i.e., tobacco, asbestos, and defective drugs. Sadly, what is currently unfolding within the synthetic turf industry bears striking similarities to the aforementioned mass tort catastrophes - deceptive marketing practices, industry funded junk science (aimed at misleading customers and creating doubt in the courtroom), and a focus on corporate profits over consumer health and safety.”

Rebekah ThomsonJune 5, 2019Human health, Environment, Costs

Letter from the Martha's Vineyard Environmental Educators Alliance

"As they grow into adults we hope these students will keep this love for the Island close in their hearts and let it weigh heavily on the decisions they face as future community leaders. Change is inevitable. But change of any particular sort is not... In the end it is often money that rules the day. Ironic and shortsighted, when looking many years down the road, artificial turf is a costly financial choice, not to mention health and environmental one."

Rebekah ThomsonJune 5, 2019Environment, Plastic pollution, Stewardship

Major New Fears Emerge Over Absence of Recycling Plan for 3G Pitches

“One individual who asked not to be named working in the recycling of 3G pitches in the UK described it as a ‘massive issue’ and said that in the next two decades the problem ‘will escalate beyond belief’. ‘Most surfaces will have to be relaid in the next 10 to 15 years and there will have to be a home for them. You cannot begin to imagine how much. You will be able to fill Wembley Stadium [with artificial turf].’

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Disposal, Environment, Costs

Letter From Vineyard Conservation Society

"Against this backdrop of growing enthusiasm for measures to reduce plastic waste, and the progress already achieved by our Island community, the possibility of replacing natural grass with one or more massive plastic carpets is particularly dissonant, and disappointing. Artificial turf, while not disposable in quite the same sense as a plastic drinking straw, is indeed a plastic waste issue."

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Environment, Plastic pollution, Costs, Disposal

Penn State Center for Sports Surface Research: Synthetic Turf Heat Evaluation – Progress Report January 2012

Summary: No product in this test substantially reduced surface temperature compared to the traditional system of green fibers filled with black rubber in both the indoor and outdoor test. Reductions of five or even ten degrees offer little advantage when temperatures still exceed 150° F. Until temperatures can be reduced by at least twenty or thirty degrees for an extended period of time, surface temperature will remain a major issue on synthetic turf fields.

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Heat, Human health, Environment, Climate change, Safety

Letter from Mass Audubon to MVRHS Leadership

“Mass Audubon opposes the use of synthetic turf for outdoor sports and activities on the High School playing fields and believes grass playing fields are a better alternative. Grass maintains a natural temperature, reduces rain runoff, filters stormwater, and when cared for properly, is safe for people and nature.”

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Environment, Stewardship, Toxic exposure, Plastic pollution

How Extreme Weather Is Shrinking the Planet

“With wildfires, heat waves, and rising sea levels, large tracts of the earth are at risk of becoming uninhabitable. But the fossil-fuel industry continues its assault on the facts.”

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Climate change, Environment, Plastic pollution, Human health, Costs

Plastic Fibres Found in Tap Water Around The World, Study Reveals

Tests show billions of people globally are drinking water contaminated by plastic particles, with 83% of samples found to be polluted… The US had the highest contamination rate, at 94%, with plastic fibres found in tap water sampled at sites including Congress buildings, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters, and Trump Tower in New York.

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Climate change, Plastic pollution, Environment

Letters & Links