Turf News

What happens to plastic and polluting artificial turf? This 4+ year old video shows the truth about artificial turf recycling in the Netherlands. This is before we knew about all the evidence of PFAS, 6PPD-Q and other contaminants. The United States is guilty of the same false claims and polluting practices.

Notes on the Science of Body Burden, “Low Doses,” and Artificial Turf -- Ellie Goldberg, December 2, 2023. Numerous studies have shown that chemicals identified in artificial turf, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known carcinogens, neurotoxicants, mutagens, and endocrine disruptors (EDCs). 

Repurposing tires, plastic and all its hazardous components is highly polluting, wasteful and energy intensive, not cleaner, safer or less polluting. 

To: Newton City Councilors, December 17, 2023, Fr:  Cory Alperstein, Pat Burdick, Cindy Callaway, Barbara Divitto (and Chris Alt), Marian Glasgow, Ellie Goldberg, Lisa Goodwin Robbins, Cindy Mapes, Melanie Renaud, Tish Upton (and David Stein) 

Green Newton Letter to City Council, December 15, 2023

Artificial turf is the same harmful plastic in another form. Green Newton understands the competing interests that play into the decision to install artificial turf at the South and North high schools, but we ask you to consider that, if you agree that plastic bags and take out containers are bad for us, that artificial turf is equally bad or worse. Please consider the following: Toxicity, Greenhouse Gas, Questionable Recycling...

Goldberg: Listen to the experts about artificial turf, don’t ignore warnings, November 27, 2023. 

The local group Better Action Now on Artificial Turf in Newton is thrilled that Dr. Phil Landrigan has let city councilors know that he opposes Mayor Fuller’s request for $2,400,000 for an artificial turf field at Newton North High School. See details here. 

Letter to City Council, August 25, 2023

NEWTON SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT COMMISSION, RE: Waste, Toxicity, and GHG Considerations in Artificial Turf Installation and Disposal in Newton 

1. A recommendation that the City make public detailed disposal plans for the artificial turf recently removed at NSHS, particularly addressing environmental accountability

2. A recommendation to replace the existing artificial turf field at Newton North High School (NNHS) with naturally maintained grass

3. A recommendation to maintain and upgrade existing grass fields at Albemarle and establish a policy of no new artificial turf field installations in Newton  

STORROWING. How are some Newton City officials like the drivers who ignore the “low clearance” signs on Storrow Drive? Ellie Goldberg, September 1, 2023

Do synthetic fields absorb rainwater? Ellie Goldberg, August 7, 2023

Concerns regarding Artificial Turf Removal at NSHS, Amy Sangiolo, FigCityNews, August 1, 2023 

Messy Artificial Turf Removal at NSHS, Ellie Goldberg, Green Newton, July 31, 2023 

The Heat is On: High Temperatures Increase Health Risks of Artificial Turf, Ellie Goldberg, GreenNewton, June 20, 2023

OP-ED: Artificial turf is not safe, not smart, not green By Ellie Goldberg, FigCityNews, JUNE 12, 2023

Newton Kids Deserve Better… Say No to Toxic Turf  By Ellie Goldberg, GreenNewton, February 12, 2023

Artificial turf potentially linked to cancer deaths of six Phillies ball players – report. The lawn replacement – largely fallen out of favor in professional sports these days – contains large amounts of toxic chemicals. The Guardian, March 10, 2023

Brita Lundberg, M.D.  Founder, Lundberg Health Advocates, Newton

For health, climate and health equity reasons, it is time for Massachusetts to invest in grass fields--not plastic ones. Playing on artificial turf carries important health risks --exacerbating heat illness, exposure to known carcinogens and neurotoxins and infectious disease risks--for the children playing on these fields and for persons observing the games or living in the surrounding community–as well as the communities that live near the production and disposal of these toxic chemicals and later toxic waste.

Few exposures bring together such a broad cocktail of toxic chemicals–or expose this vulnerable population – children– to these chemicals in such an intense fashion.

Artificial turf is definitely the wrong way to "level the playing field."

According to Northeastern Professor Daniel Faber, equal pollution is not the goal of health equity: it is to ensure that no children are exposed to toxic pollutants at all.

It is gratifying to be quoted in this excellent article. This is acres of plastic’: Environmentalists concerned over artificial turf replacement at Newton high school

#publichealth #banartificialturf #childrenshealth #heatillness