The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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RIDGEWOOD, NJ — In a critical 2023 alert, the Children’s Environmental Health Center at Mount Sinai formally warned the Village of Ridgewood and the Board of Education about the health hazards artificial turf poses to children. Despite these concerns, Ridgewood officials are moving forward with a plan to install an additional 6 acres of artificial turf, sparking public outcry from health advocates and concerned parents alike.
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Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water continues to make significant progress in its mission to eliminate PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from local drinking water, with multiple treatment facilities already online and more scheduled to launch throughout 2025 and 2026.
Continue reading Ridgewood Water PFAS Treatment Facilities on Track for Full Operation by 2026
photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
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Ridgewood Nj, since 2015, Ridgewood Water has faced challenges with PFAS levels exceeding the limits set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). This ongoing issue raises concerns about transparency and the safety of tap water for Ridgewood residents.
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Ridgewood NJ, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today presented the first Our Water’s Worth It trophy to Ridgewood Water for its efforts over the years to conserve water and to protect public health by addressing PFAS contamination. Ridgewood Water provides water service to approximately 61,000 consumers in four Bergen County municipalities.
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Responding to a citizen’s Facebook post regarding Ridgewood Water’s recent request to stop the use of lawn irrigation devices, Ridgewood Water’s Senior Engineer Jill Fasano wrote this about the “enormous amounts of water put on lawns:”
35 very concerned residents of Montclair
In a concerning parallel to Ridgewood’s proposed Schedler field, Montclair is also grappling with fears of PFAS contamination from artificial turf. The Montclair Board of Education (BOE) and School District claim that the turf they’re installing is PFAS-free, relying on a 2019 test provided by their contractor. However, a 2023 test proves otherwise, and even the manufacturer admits the presence of PFAS. Despite this, the BOE has been unresponsive for eight months and has now taken delivery of the artificial turf containing PFAS. To add to the frustration, their lawyers issued a statement suggesting, “nothing to see here.”
Continue reading The Battle Against PFAS in Montclair: A Community’s Call for Action
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Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on the Ridgewood blog on April 10, 2024 the US EPA released the first national regulations on PFAS Compounds. Water Utilities around the country will now have 3 years to test their water sources and two additional years to take action such as installing treatment in order to be in compliance.
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Hoosick Falls NY, Loreen Hackett faced the daunting challenge of battling cancer not once, but twice, before reaching the age of 50. Her first encounter with the disease occurred in her 20s when cancerous cells were discovered in her cervix, prompting her to undergo a hysterectomy at the young age of 28. Nearly two decades later, she found herself confronting cancer again, this time diagnosed with breast cancer.
Continue reading ‘Forever chemicals’ have been linked to Breast and Gynecological cancers
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Ridgewood NJ, no need to save for retirement, the head of the United Nations climate agency has issued a stark warning, emphasizing that humanity has a narrow window of just two years to enact significant changes in its approach to emitting heat-trapping gases. This urgent call to action is compounded by the pressing need to secure the necessary financial resources to facilitate this monumental transition.
Continue reading United Nations Climate Chief Says We Only Have Two Years Left to Save the Planet
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Ridgewood NJ, EPA establishes national limits for ‘Forever Chemicals’ in drinking water for the first time.
Continue reading Environmental Protection Agency Sets Limit on ‘forever chemicals’ in Drinking Water
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Ridgewood NJ, artificial turf, made with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” poses significant health risks due to its toxicity. PFAS can permeate the body through skin absorption, inhalation, ingestion, or open wounds, as reported by the Guardian.
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Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Village Manager Keith Kazmark had a rather tactless suggestion for a West Saddle River Road resident whose water supply comes from a privately owned well.
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Ridgewood NJ, New research suggests that athletes who engage in sports on artificial turf may be exposed to higher levels of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” than before participating in the activity, adding to concerns about the safety of this widely used material.
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Ridgewood NJ, in a landmark move towards environmental sustainability, New York State has officially banned the use of artificial turf. The ban, set to go into effect in late 2024, marks a significant step towards reducing the use of harmful materials and promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives.