BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
TENAFLY, N.J. — If someone tells you to put a cork in it, that’s generally not good.
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However, when it comes to cork being used in an artificial turf field, it may have certain safety benefits that the traditionally used layers of crumb rubber tire cushion do not, according to two council members.
But borough recreation director Jamie Cannon told council members Oct. 24 that although it may be an alternative to typical crumb-rubber artificial turf, cork is an organic material and less durable, which means it will not last as long as synthetic turf.
The whole issue of replacing artificial turf with a cork-based turf field was raised by Councilwoman Shama Haider and Councilman Maxim Basch following Recreation Director Jamie Cannon’s plea to council members that the municipal field turf needs to be replaced next year.
Previously, Basch raised concerns about possible toxic health effects from exposed crumb rubber infill in artificial turf.
“I have concerns about the material on the field,” said Haider.
“Cork is less controversial,” interjected Basch twice.
Councilman Mark Zinna remarked that considering cork-based turf fields was an “valid” option.
Meanwhile, Cannon appeared to boost artificial turf fields with crumb rubber infill. She said the crumb rubber infill “is not dangerous when it’s in the ground” and said crumb rubber is used to make surgical gloves and even chewing gum.
“The [municipal field] turf is compacted down to nothing,” said Cannon, adding, “I go home at night and empty my shoes” of crumb rubber pellets. She said “what’s hazardous [about crumb rubber infill] is children or pets ingesting the pellets.”
When Basch and Haider continued to press concerns about synthetic turf fields, Rustin said: “Nobody here is advocating a field that is not safe. There are no studies that show that this [artificial turf] field is not safe,” said Rustin.
“I think we have agreed in principle that we need to replace this field in August,” Rustin added.
On Oct. 10, members heard the borough engineer recommended an additional $100,000 for an extra turf layer that creates a softer surface for players’ safety and doesn’t heat up as much.
Cannon said the municipal field turf is 14 years old and shows “tell-tale signs” that the turf needs replacement.
Currently the federal Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Human Services, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are undertaking a crumb rubber infill “exposure characterization study” with a final report due in 2018, according to an Oct. 18 conference presentation made by the study’s investigators.
The study will examine what types of activities (such as sports, physical education and training) lead to specific exposure levels of chemicals in exposed artificial turf crumb rubber infill.
USEPA plans to collect air samples, wipe samples from hands, arms and legs of study participants, and urine samples and blood samples from athletes involved in specific sports.
“While this effort won’t provide all the answers about whether synthetic turf fields are safe…the study will provide a better understanding of potential exposures that athletes and others may experience and will help answer some key questions that have been raised,” states an online USEPA fact sheet.
Additional information is at epa.gov/TireCrumb.
Current turf field replacement cost is estimated at $750,000, according to Maser Consulting.
Earlier in 2017, the borough council allocated $420,000 from capital expenditures and proposed to vote on earmarking $330,000 from the municipal Open Space Fund at either the Nov. 20 or Dec. 12 meeting to fund the entire turf replacement cost.
A vote to fund the remaining $330,000 this year is necessary to keep the project on schedule, Rustin said previously.