04/19/2007
Despite scientific evidence that the rubber used in 20 synthetic turf fields in Queens contain high levels of carcinogens, the city Department of Parks and Recreation has, so far, refused to grant an independent study into potential health risks to park patrons, public health advocates charged this week.
Last year, researchers from Rutgers University found the pellets — which give the borough’s newly refurbished athletic fields a buoyant, soil-like feel — are made of recycled tires that contain high concentrations of a cancer-causing chemical, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Experts found levels of the toxin above the state’s standard for soil, after analyzing samples used in 20 Queens parks, plus 53 other sites citywide. Studies also found levels of the highly toxic benzo(a)pyrene at more than eight times the state’s acceptable level for regular dirt samples, experts said.
What the studies failed to determine, however, was whether those chemicals could be absorbed into the human body. Now, public safety advocates are urging Parks officials to grant a follow-up study to determine whether park-goers are being exposed to the toxins — and if so, what dangers the potential exposure poses, if any.
“These pellets get into your shoes and rub against your skin when you’re playing soccer, so what impact does that have?” asked John Collins, a spokesman for Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. “Kids eat dirt and are rolling around on these fields every day. What impact does that have? These are questions we need to have answered.”
This week, Parks officials contended that advocates may be overstating the possible health risks. “Synthetic fields are perfectly safe and may be more environmentally friendly than ‘natural’ grass fields,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe in a statement, adding that pellets in city parks were the same materials used at Rutgers University’s fields and Giants Stadium.
William Crain, a CUNY professor who first raised the possibility of a public health risk, has repeatedly urged Benepe to let researchers take two handfuls of pellets from one park in each borough in order to conduct the follow-up tests. Parks officials said they would consider that request, but had advised Crain to seek pellet samples from the manufacturer — not from city parks, where the rubber may be “compromised” by environmental contaminants.
In Queens, parks with synthetic fields include: Glendale’s Forest Park, Woodhaven’s Highland Park, Jamaica Estates’ Rufus King Park, Woodside’s St. Michaels Park and Reiff Park, Springfield Gardens’ Montebellier Park, Rosedale’s Brookville Park, Corona’s Park of the Americas and Hinton Park, Ozone Park’s Southern Fields and Addabbo Memorial Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Middle Village’s Juniper Valley Park, Bayside’s Raymond O'Connor Field, Long Island City’s Queensbridge Park, Laurelton’s Idlewild Park, Jamaica’s Roy Wilkins Park and Liberty Park, Flushing’s Kissena Corridor Park and Ridgewood’s Joseph Mafera Park.
Despite scientific evidence that the rubber used in 20 synthetic turf fields in Queens contain high levels of carcinogens, the city Department of Parks and Recreation has, so far, refused to grant an independent study into potential health risks to park patrons, public health advocates charged this week.Last year, researchers from Rutgers University found the pellets — which give the borough’s newly refurbished athletic fields a buoyant, soil-like feel — are made of recycled tires that contain high concentrations of a cancer-causing chemical, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Experts found levels of the toxin above the state’s standard for soil, after analyzing samples used in 20 Queens parks, plus 53 other sites citywide. Studies also found levels of the highly toxic benzo(a)pyrene at more than eight times the state’s acceptable level for regular dirt samples, experts said.
What the studies failed to determine, however, was whether those chemicals could be absorbed into the human body. Now, public safety advocates are urging Parks officials to grant a follow-up study to determine whether park-goers are being exposed to the toxins — and if so, what dangers the potential exposure poses, if any.
“These pellets get into your shoes and rub against your skin when you’re playing soccer, so what impact does that have?” asked John Collins, a spokesman for Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. “Kids eat dirt and are rolling around on these fields every day. What impact does that have? These are questions we need to have answered.”
This week, Parks officials contended that advocates may be overstating the possible health risks. “Synthetic fields are perfectly safe and may be more environmentally friendly than ‘natural’ grass fields,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe in a statement, adding that pellets in city parks were the same materials used at Rutgers University’s fields and Giants Stadium.
William Crain, a CUNY professor who first raised the possibility of a public health risk, has repeatedly urged Benepe to let researchers take two handfuls of pellets from one park in each borough in order to conduct the follow-up tests. Parks officials said they would consider that request, but had advised Crain to seek pellet samples from the manufacturer — not from city parks, where the rubber may be “compromised” by environmental contaminants.
In Queens, parks with synthetic fields include: Glendale’s Forest Park, Woodhaven’s Highland Park, Jamaica Estates’ Rufus King Park, Woodside’s St. Michaels Park and Reiff Park, Springfield Gardens’ Montebellier Park, Rosedale’s Brookville Park, Corona’s Park of the Americas and Hinton Park, Ozone Park’s Southern Fields and Addabbo Memorial Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Middle Village’s Juniper Valley Park, Bayside’s Raymond O'Connor Field, Long Island City’s Queensbridge Park, Laurelton’s Idlewild Park, Jamaica’s Roy Wilkins Park and Liberty Park, Flushing’s Kissena Corridor Park and Ridgewood’s Joseph Mafera Park.
