Nantucket has always been a place where community matters — where our kids grow up surrounded by the ocean, open space, and each other.  But right now, our community is divided over something that should unite us: the health, safety, and future of our children. We are asking you to support the vote of the Nantucket School Committee.

The proposed installation of a synthetic/turf field at Nantucket High School has sparked passionate debate about PFAS, linked to water contamination across the country.  We all agree on one thing: protecting our aquifer — our island’s only source of drinking water — is non-negotiable.

Here’s the good news: modern science has caught up to our concerns.

Today’s turf fields can be PFAS-free.

• In 2025, FieldTurf reported no detectable PFAS across 40 compounds using the EPA’s gold-standard testing method (EPA Method 1633).
• In 2023, AstroTurf eliminated all intentionally added PFAS from its U.S. manufacturing process.
• These new systems include sealed drainage and containment layers to prevent runoff or microplastic migration — protecting groundwater more effectively than older natural fields.
• Testing has shown that our existing grass fields already contained PFAS long before any turf proposal, proving this is a broader environmental issue, not a turf-specific one.

Beyond chemistry, this issue is about our kids and our community.
Over 70% of Nantucket High School students play sports — nearly double the national average. In a community where the average age of first alcohol or drug use is just 9.4 years, sports are not a luxury — they’re a lifeline. Athletics keep our youth engaged, connected, and proud to be part of something bigger.

We can protect Nantucket’s water and support the physical and mental health of our kids.
Let’s move forward with data, transparency, and shared responsibility — not fear.
We urge the Nantucket Board of Health to allow the installation of PFAS-free, environmentally safe turf fields that meet strict EPA testing standards and include advanced water protection systems.

This is our opportunity to lead — to show that Nantucket can be both environmentally responsible and deeply committed to the wellbeing of its young people.

Let’s build fields that reflect our values: safe, sustainable, and strong — just like our island community.