the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, during the League of Women Voters candidates forum, Frank Mortimer, candidate for Ridgewood Village Council, addressed concerns regarding the safety of artificial turf fields. Mortimer pointed to the findings of a federal report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which assures that artificial turf, including fields made from recycled tire crumbs, does not pose significant health risks.
EPA: No Major Health Risks from Turf Fields
The report, produced in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is the most comprehensive study to date on chemical exposure risks associated with synthetic turf and rubber playgrounds. While the presence of chemicals in the recycled tire materials is acknowledged, Annette Guiseppi-Elie, the EPA’s national program director for chemical safety research, emphasized that the exposure levels are “limited” and generally not harmful.
This assessment followed studies on both adults and children playing on synthetic fields, considering factors such as temperature and duration of exposure. The findings reinforce the EPA’s stance that such play areas are safe, which has been in place for years despite lingering public concerns.
Ongoing Debate: Are Synthetic Fields Truly Safe?
Concerns over the safety of artificial turf fields date back decades, largely due to the recycled tire crumbs used in their construction. Critics raised alarms about the presence of neurotoxic metals like lead and zinc in the materials, and a 2016 “60 Minutes” report added to the anxiety, sharing stories of high school athletes who believed their cancer diagnoses were linked to turf fields.
However, the recent report found no direct connection between playing on these fields and long-term health risks. Still, some experts remain cautious. Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, expressed disappointment, calling the report “not a credible response” to public concerns. She emphasized that while the risk may be minimal for most people, there’s still uncertainty about the impact on vulnerable individuals.
The Industry’s Response
On the other side, supporters of artificial turf, including Melanie Taylor, president of the Synthetic Turf Council, welcomed the report. Taylor noted that the findings affirm what previous studies have shown: that synthetic turf is a safe and reliable option for sports fields and playgrounds.
The Ongoing “Turf Wars”
While the EPA’s latest findings are largely reassuring, they have not addressed all aspects of the debate. Specifically, the study did not cover exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, which have been linked to cancer and other serious health issues. The potential presence of PFAS in synthetic turf has emerged as a key point in the so-called “turf wars,” and future research may focus on this growing area of concern.
Moving Forward
While Mortimer’s reassurance is backed by recent federal findings, the debate over artificial turf safety continues, with some residents calling for further studies and more transparency. As Ridgewood residents weigh their options, it’s clear that the safety of synthetic fields will remain a critical issue in the broader discussion of community sports and recreation facilities.
In the days after Sept. 11, 2001, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) incorrectly assured New Yorkers that the air was safe to breathe. To this day, first responders are still being diagnosed with and dying from illnesses born of breathing in the toxic air at Ground Zero.
Christine Todd Whitman, who was administrator of the EPA from January 2001 until June 2003, has admitted that she was wrong about the air quality in an interview with the Guardian .
Days after terrorists brought down the World Trade Center towers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the air was safe to breathe, but that proved to be a dangerously optimistic assessment. Nearly two years later, EPA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reported that the EPA “did not have sufficient data and analyses to make such a blanket statement,” as “air monitoring data was lacking for several pollutants of concern.” The OIG also discovered that the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) significantly revised EPA press releases “to add reassuring statements and delete cautionary ones.” Samples showed asbestos levels between double and triple EPA’s danger limit, but CEQ edits defined the results as “slightly above” the limit.
EPA was instructed to clear all statements to the media through the National Security Council, giving National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice’s office final approval. While the EPA pointed to its recommendations that workers and volunteers on site take precautions such as using respirators, OIG said “EPA’s basic overriding message was that the public did not need to be concerned about airborne contaminants.” Former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman maintains that her assurances referred to lower Manhattan in general and not the Ground Zero site. Yet, first responders like Vinny Forras told CBS, “We were being told ‘Don’t worry about it.’” Forras is one of the nearly seven out of 10 World Trade Center responders who reported new or worsened lung problems, according to a 2006 study by Mount Sinai Hospital.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com
Bullet vote Kwak
Frank is not suited for VX. He is not good for Ridgewood.
Weitz 2.0. Shake ur head in agreement w the little guy
When he is awake
Here’s what the “Bee Man” actually said:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sbiB9MH_RS8&t=1397s&pp=2AH1CpACAQ%3D%3D
He seemed very red in the face blurting his details out. What gives? If he is so convinced why not be calm.
Was curious about everything being talked about after I watched the election debate on Youtube. The study concludes that toxic heavy metals actually do exist in crumb rubber turf which are ground up rubber tires and associated air pollutants from recycled tire crumbs. It says that “although chemicals are present in the tire crumbs, as expected, and exposures can occur, those exposures are likely limited,” but goes on to say that PFAS chemicals were not part of the report and additional research is necessary. It seems that Mr. Mortimer either didn’t realize or did not care and has taken the effort to skirt the PFAS topic entirely which is of concern.
The study quoted by Mr. Mortimer includes this footnote:
“Existing studies DO NOT comprehensively evaluate the concerns about health risks… Because of the need for additional information, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)…are launching a multi-agency Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields and Playgrounds to study key environmental human health questions.
Clearly Mr. Mortimer the marketing executive has failed the exam and apparently did not read the full report he cited. It is just like he claimed to have read the village application for the schedler plan in which he proudly stated in public was thorough and well thought out even though the State historic group immediately rejected the application based on lack of clarity, unprofessional presentation and for being technically incomplete.
If this is the kind of shoddy work akin to cheating on your homework, then folks we are in for a few years of phoney baloney and taxes getting hiked up higher than a mini skirt.
He should be ashamed to call himself a professional anything because he is a major Bullsh*t artist of the worst kind.
The sharp sting of higher taxes and following along with a failed mayor are a dangerous combination that will cost Ridgewood residents in the long run.
Don’t we already have enough to worry about with contaminated soil everywhere and other issues like stores closing, unhappy staff at village hall and unhappy residents who don’t feel their needs are being met.
Yes c9nveniently left that part put. It’s a bold claim to say turf is safe. He may get sued one day.
Why would I believe anything that a candidate who has aligned himself with Paul Vagianos says?
And so are BEES. Haha. Even to those allergic. This guy is trying to bring a bee farm to Habernickel park. There’s enough shit there. Keep your bees to yourself.l!!!!
Build it in the toxic portion of the park
We aren’t sure where that is.
does Bee Man pay a fee to have any hives on village property? Is this costing Ridgewood any money?
Why so he can tell the kiddies that he is a member of the green team and no mow may is important along with bees who are good for the environment and produce the honey that he sells for $9.99 plus tax and you get a NY Times best selling book too that talks about how great our planet is. Then they can take a walk over to the $350,000.00 pavilion built for Healthbarn, I mean Ridgewood residents, and Frank can walk over to show them that the grass should immediately be removed and artificial turf should replace it because the EPA says it is safe and here bring this permission slip home to your parents
And pay me the bee guy and health barn lady to be in a public park. $$$$
Don’t get stung by the Bee Man!
Oh wow, we need T-shirts!!
Don’t buy the BS because BEE 4 you know it, you may BEE stung by Frank Mortimer.
Or
Bee Man’s BS is giving me HIVES
The Bee Man only seems to care about fields and sports. If you truly cared about nature and our planet you would not advocate for artificial turf and quote studies. He is not an expert but it is obvious he is a greenwasher. he sells honey and wrote a book about bees, but knowingly quotes a study that he knows is not complete. It does not address PFAS only crumb rubber. That is deceptive and very disappointing. I will not be voting for him, Vagianos or Perron as they cannot be trusted.
Because his daughter is a jock. Go Tigers. He doesn’t care about health or the environment?
That basically shows that Pam Perron cares only about winning. If her policy agenda is same as HyunJu’s why would she promote those who are against her green initiatives?
Because like many others in this town, she’s a bigot!
I know Pam personally and while I do not agree with many of her Council votes, I know she is most definitely not a bigot, racist, hater, etc. Quite the opposite.
I don’t think Pam is a bigot but I believe that she is not strong enough to stand on her own 2 feet and therefore is co dependent and needs Vagianos. For a smart woman, her lack of judgement about the mayor is really astounding, she said she was a lawyer? That is pretty scary. As for the Bee Man Mortimer same thing. He is not a good speaker nor is he polished by any stretch can barely eek out a justification for his love of plastic grass all while making little signs and telling people not to mow their lawns for environmental reasons. It is laughable. They are all sellouts to the greatest cult leader around. They are all horrible and this includes Winograd and Weitz.
She is wearing too many hats and those essential rays are not giving her the brain power she needs while she is under Vagianos’ spell. Clear thinking is not happening.
Pam is really out of touch with reality and what people want in Ridgewood. She is going door to door but is she listening. Maybe this block will get the popular vote because people buckle under the pressure. All of these strange people endorsing them is funny. Pride over idiocy. Vagianos couldn’t make it as an assemblyman so he is sticking to being a failed mayor with his puppet brigade. 4 more years of fake and maybe a furlough. its anyone’s guess.
Vote no to Vagianos the failed mayor
vote no to Perron a misguided maven
vote no to Mortimer the fake bee guy
He is really ignorant on the topic and some other topics that were raised at the League debate like the housing situation and either a super dummy or being controlled by Vagianos who is probably footing the bill for his and Pam’s campaign. For a marketing guy he is not shoring anyone that he has a good spin on anything and has convinced us not to vote for the bloc. It is really sad to see what a sellout he is and Pam Perron. Vagianos is bad news, so if they are aligned, I vote NO.
Regarding the housing, he talks about the charm of Ridgewood being changed but Vagianos is pro development, it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
Even if he gets in, he will be way out of his element. If you watch him speak, he is very insecure.
He doesn’t want to change the character of the town, however he wants to cover it in plastic grass? Plus, he is running with the guy who wanted to larger garage and is pro-development. Have I missed something?
Bee Man is against the public comment portion at beginning of council meetings. Already tried suggesting it at prior council meeting at the public comment beginning! He does know how to “count” with his fingers as he clocks a speaker, holds up high one finger is 1 minute, two fingers is 2 minutes, three fingers is 3 minutes. Time up. All a distraction and intimidation tactic and disrespectful.
I will NOT vote for him, flip him the “Jersey Bird” middle finger.
Assuming this guy is the laughing stock of the bee community. These people are generally die hard environental folks who want to go the distance to preserve the planet and all living beings, people and insects a like and believe in a way more wholesome and sustainable all natural life style. They take pride in cultivating all natural honey and would sun anything plastic (honey is generally sold in glass jars and not plastic) so this is why It is really a surprise that Mortimer would be pro synthetic turf but I guess anything is possible. It is just a surprise and not a good one. I will not cast my vote for him.
Plastic grass on a historic property, did I just hear that right from a pro green bee guy? Wow.
Frank Mortimer says that he is a new voice for Ridgewood and is focused on the future but he has not said how and running in a block with two people who have spent a gazillion dollars on a failed field. This gut is all over the place. Doesn’t seem at all trustworthy to me and i believe we are going to get burned not stung by his ineptitde and low level skillset.
The dude is legit out of his mind with this craziness. Many sports parents do not want their kids playing on turf and are afraid of being retaliated against by the big bad sports organizers who are going big or going home. My question is who is working wit the turf vendors to ink the deal? Someone is getting pocket lined.
If you watched him introduce himself he raises his eyebrow when he talks about his NYT best selling bee book. Pretty shady if you ask me.