VOTE “NO” – FEBRUARY 26TH
ONALFO TURF FIELD INITIATIVE
TOWN REFERENDUM
RIDGEFIELD RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW…
Ridgefield taxpayers will pay approximately $1.6 million to artificially turf the grass fields at Onalfo. This repeat referendum from last May is costing taxpayers thousands of additional dollars.
It is estimated that each artificial turf field contains between 20,000-40,000 ground up tires. Tires contain toxic materials, which prohibit their disposal in landfills, so it is reasonable to question their safety for their use on children’s playing fields.
In November 2007, the Fairfield Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commission denied plans for an artificial turf field at a CT school , based on the possible risk of contamination to groundwater supplies from the run-off.
“Early research suggests children could be harmed by breathing the chemicals in the turf or by getting it on their skin or in their mouths”
The need for further investigation relating to the potential health risk to children playing on these fields is being recommended by the CT DEP, researchers at Rutgers, Doctors at Mt. Sinai, Attorney General Blumenthal, to list a few. Visit www.synturf.org for breaking news and links to recent studies.
The New York State Legislature is currently considering legislation to prevent the installation of artificial turf until further studies by the State are complete.
New York City has stopped installing these fields. Mamaroneck is looking for a ban. Fairfield, Nyack have both voted the fields down. Greenwich Selectwoman, Lin Lavery, is requesting a moratorium on new artificial turf fields.
Want more information on how artificial turf impacts the environment? Check out these links:
Synthetic Turf Field Nixed in Fairfield, Westport News, November 9, 2007 Artificial Turf, EHHI, 2007, www.ehhi.org News from New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, November 5, 2007
