An increasing number of schools and public play areas are installing artificial turf / grass / plastic grass on playing fields and play areas in Somerset West and across the Western Cape.

Please join us. Your signature matters.

As a Somerset West resident and parent, I support the need for playing fields for student activities and areas for children to play. At the same time, I am opposed to artificial or synthetic turf fields for one or more of the reasons listed in this document.

Over the past few years we have seen schools and public play areas remove natural grass in favour of  artificial turf.   If this happens, we are exposing our children to toxins and other serious issues which may affect their health later in life.  We are also damaging our environment.  In actual fact we are destroying the area the synthetic turf is installed.  The natural eco-systems and delicate balance of life working in our soils can no longer funtion once artificial turf is placed over it.  Artificial grass also promotes global warming.

1. Health Effects – Detrimental Due to Carcinogenic Exposure
Artificial/Synthetic turf is made up of at least three major parts: backing material to hold the individual blades of artificial grass, the plastic blades themselves and the infill, those tiny crumbs that support the blades. All contain known carcinogens.   

Primary and senior School children, both current and future, will continually be exposed to toxic chemicals as well as carcinogens during PE and after-school activities.  Tiny tots are exposed to this in playgrounds from a young age.

How do you feel when you read this?

Here are some  “Tips for Safer Play on Artificial Turf Surfaces”

Mount Sinai’s Children’s Environmental Health Center: “Tips for Safer Play on Artificial Turf Surfaces”

o  Avoid use on very hot days

o  Avoid use for passive activities (i.e. sitting, lounging, picnicking)

o  Monitor young children to prevent accidental ingestion

o  Always wear shoes on artificial turf

o  Wash hands before eating, drinking, or adjusting mouth guard

o  Clean cuts and abrasions immediately

o  Brush hair thoroughly after play

o  Remove and clean shoes and gear outside before getting in car

o  At home, take off shoes and shake out children’s equipment & clothes outside or over the garbage

o  Shower immediately after playing on artificial turf

o  Vacuum any infill that comes into your home

2. Environmental Impact – Pollution of Water, Land and Air
Plant Based Infills (PBIs) are expensive and like rubber crumb infill, migrate significantly, polluting water and the environment. There has been no long-term study on the effects of children inhaling chemical-laced PBIs. In addition, organic infills contain silica sand, identified by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) as a Class I carcinogen. OSHA also classifies silica as a hazardous material. Organic infill marketing is not certified by the USDA and is unregulated.

Beware of False Advertising:  Companies that sell and install artificial turf often claim there is no evidence that children are harmed or no evidence that the fields can serve as a potential source for the spread of bacterial pathogens. Neither is true.

 • Synthetic Turf: Industry’s Claims versus the Science

• Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Alternative Infills for Artificial Turf

• Eight Good Reasons Why Artificial Turf is One Bad Idea

• Diana M. Zuckerman, Ph.D., President, National Center for Health Research, warns the Mayor and City Council of Washington, DC about the danger of an alternative infill including Envirofill and lack of adequate G-max measurements. October 2017.

• Determination of Microbial Populations in a Synthetic Turf System

3. Cost-Myth that Synthetic Fields Cost Less than Natural Grass
A properly installed and maintained quality natural grass field remains viable for at least twice as long as artificial turf. There are significant costs to tear up, remove and reinstall new artificial turf every eight to ten years. When equipment and maintenance costs are combined with construction costs, a natural grass field averages out to less per year than an artificial field.

“ …  non-partisan studies have shown … natural grass fields are a bargain compared to artificial turf due to the huge costs taxpayers get stuck with to maintain and replace artificial fields after their warrantees [sic] expire.” (Forbes, Sept 28, 2014)  

REAL GRASS FOR HEALTHY KIDS and A HEALTHY FUTURE

Click here for additional information on the dangers and costs of artificial turf

REMEMBER - Artificial Turf is not what we have been lead to believe

- it is significantly hotter than other surfaces (this comes from students at schools in South Africa where the turf has been installed)                                                      https://rrunrrun.blogspot.com/2018/06/readers-voice-turf-field-heat-injury.html

- it is made of plastic and needs to be disposed of to landfill at the end of it's life

- over time it sheds small bits of plastic that will enter our waterways and pollute our environment

- it acts as a heat bank to increase summer temperatures

- reflected heat from it causes stress to surrounding plants and contributes to heating up our suburbs

- it doesn't allow much water through and compacts the underlying soil

- it is harder then grass and natural surfaces increasing the risk of injury or a trip hazard

DO WE REALLY WANT OUR CHILDREN TO LIVE IN A PLASTIC WORLD?

Please so some research and educate yourself.