the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, recent findings suggesting a possible link between a rare form of brain cancer and toxic chemicals in artificial turf have reignited concerns about the safety of synthetic sports fields. The study focused on six professional US baseball players, all of whom succumbed to glioblastoma, having played most of their careers on artificial turf at Veterans Stadium with the Philadelphia Phillies. This revelation prompts a renewed exploration into the health risks posed by synthetic fields to athletes and users.
Toxic Components in Artificial Turf:
All artificial turf contains toxic PFAS compounds, and some types are produced with recycled tires, known as crumb rubber, which may contain heavy metals, benzene, volatile organic compounds, and other carcinogens. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are associated with severe health problems, including cancer, liver issues, thyroid problems, birth defects, and more. The concerns surrounding the use of synthetic fields have led several US municipalities and states to ban or propose banning them.
Calls for Regulation:
The deaths of the Phillies players add weight to calls for regulatory measures to prohibit synthetic fields. Kyla Bennett, a former EPA scientist, emphasizes the need for caution when it comes to human health, citing the unusual prevalence of glioblastoma among the Philadelphia Phillies as a red flag. However, brain cancer experts caution that it is challenging to establish a direct link between the athletes’ cancers and PFAS from the turf.
Environmental Impact and Other Concerns:
Beyond the potential health risks, critics highlight additional environmental and safety issues associated with artificial turf. The material emits high levels of methane, contributes to heat island effects, and releases microplastics and other chemicals into waterways. National Football League players have advocated against artificial turf due to injury concerns, and the issue has prompted discussions about restrictions on synthetic fields in various municipalities.
The Need for Further Research and Action:
While the study raises questions about the safety of synthetic sports fields, experts emphasize the need for comprehensive research to quantify players’ exposure and assess the potential link between PFAS in turf and cancer. Calls for epidemiological studies and player registries have been made to address this critical issue. As the debate surrounding synthetic fields continues, it highlights the importance of considering both convenience and potential health and environmental risks.
Conclusion:
The recent report on the potential link between a rare brain cancer and artificial turf raises significant concerns within the sports community and beyond. As discussions about synthetic fields intensify, a balanced approach that prioritizes human health, environmental impact, and scientific research becomes crucial. The need for regulatory measures, further studies, and informed decision-making will shape the future of sports field surfaces and the well-being of athletes and users.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com
People you have to remember you’re playing on recyclable materials, it’s a man-made product. Yes, it looks very nice, it holds up, but when you have an injury like a cut, and that recyclable material gets into your bloodstream can cause major problems, worse than normal dirt Mud. look how many millions of dollars we have invested on destroying our original fields, installing these plastic fields. And in the past 15 years with major flooding damage the cost of repair there’s still maintenance and now all the old fields that were installed guess what they need to be replaced pretty soon. They don’t last forever. That’s more money, let’s face it if it wasn’t for major donations, this would’ve never happened. Think about how much money major corporations in the area have donated 90% donations. And not to mention in the summertime it can be up to 25° hotter than grass. giant stadium is talking about ripping up the fake field, now there’s something new a combination field, which is Astroturf and sod. We’ll see.
YEAH!
It’s almost as bad as drinking the poisonous water in Ridgewood.
The PFAS is free at It’s Greek To Me! Hey that rhymes!!
There was concern for brain cancer when cell phones first appeared. Is that still a thing?
don’t spend your kickback yet lol
Actually it is very much a thing. Studies have shown that the earbuds that people use to talk on cellular phones are now spiking a high number of brain tumor cases, coincidence. I think not.
since 1994
All research says that cell phones and Bluetooth devices do NOT increase the risk of cancer.
Unless you are wearing a tin foil hat, of course.
All research, yeah like that is a thing. The doctors doing brain tumor surgery might disagree with you because after all, you’ve done all the research. So nice to have a local expert in our midst.
And covid vaccines are safe and effective!
I thought that was the school’s swimming pool.
The braintrust that is our Mayor and majority council advocates for turf. The mayor has stated that PFAS is everywhere so it shouldn’t matter. Siobahn has been pushing for turf bigtime and originally said on record that she wasn’t concerned about the health hazards that artificial turf could cause, along with Evan Weitz was also not concerned, because there will be a jersey with his kids names on them. So the people that we put our faith in to do what is best in the interest of Ridgewood residents is obviously uninformed and unconcerned.
Listen….
All of you who want to get rid of turf fields just need to claim that turf fields cause global warming (climate change or whatever is the current nom du jour).
Then sit back and watch how fast the fields get torn out.
If that doesn’t work fast enough, claim that turf fields are Racist, since a White man created them and a majority of injuries occur to black athletes.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to find facts to back up your claims. Just repeat loudly and often.
It’s not even 11AM but we have the Post of the day…!
Such a disgrace that our present mayor and the majority of our counsel members are refusing to look at the FACTS concerning the health dangers of installing artificial turf , just to appease a special interest group that is demanding this huge sports field built ASAP! We do not need another sports field folks! Especially one that will encompass 7 plus acres, in a neighborhood that does not want it! Not to mention the location of this field bordering on Route 17. That in itself poses a danger for the children playing there.The health of everyone playing on this dangerous turf and the neighbors having their wells possibly being poisoned by the toxins coming from this turf, should outweigh any other wants of residents not living on or near West Saddle River Rd.Or anyone else for that matter.
Facts!
We ain’t got no Facts!
We don’t need no Facts!
We don’t have to show you any stinking Facts!
– Village “Gold Hat” Council
That seems to be the thinking pattern of our present mayor and most of our counsel members doesn’t it? When you attend meetings concerning this subject, you really get the TRUE sense of just how closed minded and determined, regardless of facts being presented to the dangers of this “turf” and this unnecessary field being built, our “leaders” really are! “Special interest groups” got them elected and promises made to them MUST be kept!! It’s sickening!!
And when we ignore the growing research and continue to spend money we don’t have on refurbishing this material, and it becomes LAW to rip them out, who is going to pay for that?
You know we talk about spending crazy money on fake fields. What about all the money we spend on pre-treating our roads, that materials are destroying
Everything from blacktop roads, piping, and not to mention our area has the most damage on undercarriage on vehicles. If you talk to any mechanic, they will tell you that the north east is horrendous on treating the roads. Years back people used to complain about buying a car From down south close to the beach. Well, our areas are worse
Keith is the answer man for all of this , right? After all, he has only been in office since July 10th (sorry how many days is that already) but heck he will solve all of Ridgewood’s problems. Paul, Siobahn, Evan and Pam will create them and Keith will swoop in to save the day. Wasn’t that the plan all along when they brought him over. Harlan Coben couldn’t write a script this good for Netflix, but here it is, right here in our very own village, a truth as ikd as time, right from the Paulie Playbook (sponsored by the Maroons and other sports organizations).
Just fyi –
The players – Tug McGraw, Darren Daulton, John Vukovich, John Oates, Ken Brett, and David West – all played for the Phillies and all died of the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma before the age of 60. The
( Philadelphia ) Inquirer found dangerous “forever chemicals” in the turf, which was produced by Monsanto.
( Tug McGraw is the father of Tim McGraw , the country music star )
Now the village is in a mess.
What do the schools say about this