Thursday, July 25, 2024
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Children’s Environmental Health Center strongly discourages the installation of artificial turf playing surfaces and fields
Friday, July 12, 2024
Burrillville Residents Raise Concerns Over PFAS Potential in Turf Field
Burrillville Residents Raise Concerns Over PFAS Potential in Turf Field
Plans to install an artificial turf field at Burrillville High School has generated some anxiety. (Colleen Cronin/ecoRI News)
BURRILLVILLE, R.I. — Dozens of concerned residents packed into the town municipal building Wednesday night to speak out against the installment of an artificial turf field at the high school.
The residents, some of whom had to line up out the door at the July 10 Burrillville Town Council meeting, said they worry the turf may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), group of manufactured chemicals linked to serious health issues, including several types of cancers and developmental delays in children.
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” which are found in many products, from firefighting foam to water-proof clothing to artificial turf.
Roberta Lacey, a local environmentalist and member of the town’s Conservation Commission, helped rally other concerned residents after hearing that the turf field construction was underway.
Lacey recognized that she had come late to the issue — excavators have already torn up the grass field where the turf is planned — but she believes there is time to change course. She retained an attorney to fight the artificial turf, if the project moves forward.
She initially realized the turf may contain PFAS after she started looking into buying a property in Oakland village and heard about how the chemicals contaminated the water there.
Burrillville had to take the village’s drinking water source offline after high levels of PFAS, above what the EPA said was safe at the time, were found. (The federal agency has since lowered the maximum again.)
The Oakland water source was downhill from a fire station where firefighting foams containing PFAS were stored. Some residents believe that contamination made them sick.
“I kind of went down a rabbit hole with the PFAs, learning all I could,” Lacey said. “That’s when a light bulb went off, like, ‘Oh my God, it’s in artificial turf, and that’s what they’re putting at the high school.’”
FieldTurf, the company hired by Burrillville to install the field, didn’t respond to requests for comment, but company representatives attended a June Town Council meeting to respond to questions from council members and dispute that its products pose a threat to the town’s health and safety.
“We know that PFAS is a growing concern throughout the country, and as a company, we go to great lengths to test all of our materials,” Chris Hulk, director of design and construction for FieldTurf in New England, said.
When asked if FieldTurf could guarantee that water coming off the field wouldn’t contain PFAS, Hulk said “it’s hard to describe that as a guarantee.”
Elizabeth Denly, vice president and chemistry director at Connecticut-based TRC, an engineering and consulting firm, said some tests that mimicked weathering on FieldTurf products over time did have positive results for PFAS, but not in amounts that would be harmful to people or the environment.
“We saw very trace levels,” she said.
Lacey said any level of PFAS concerns her. She cited recently passed Rhode Island legislation to ban the manufacture and sale of dozens of products, including artificial turf, that contain intentionally added forever chemicals. She also noted EPA’s tightening PFAS restrictions.
Several other members of the public echoed these concerns. School Committee Chair Silvia St. Pierre said the committee has “major concerns” about how potential PFAS in the turf could hurt the kids who play on it, in addition to worries about how it could contaminate local water resources.
St. Pierre asked that the council look further into the costs of putting in grass over artificial turf.
“Do not use a rushed, cheap option, full of buyer’s remorse,” she said.
The Harrisville Fire District, where the high school is located and which includes the fire and water departments for the village, wrote a letter to the Town Council citing concerns over possible drinking water contamination.
“Harrisville respectfully urges the town to exercise due diligence in reviewing all precautions during the construction and use of the new synthetic field,” district chairman Brayton Round II wrote.
Other concerned residents included high school basketball coach Amy Hauser, who attended the meeting despite being sick with kidney issues.
“My question is why on earth would this field even be considered after knowing the harm it will do, not only to our athletes, but our entire community?” Hauser asked. “Is it the money? Because there is no monetary value you can put on life. Is it the timeline? Because I would rather our kids risk home-field advantage than lose their health. Is it your pride? Because I would have so much more respect for you all, if you’re willing to change your opinion after hearing the facts presented to you.”
Hauser, who struggled to walk out of the meeting room after speaking, said she felt it was especially important to come, even though she is in pain, because, although her illness wasn’t caused by PFAS, she doesn’t want anyone’s health to be impacted or for someone to feel the way she currently does.
“My first thing is always to do no harm to anybody,” said Irene Watson, a resident and retired nurse, arguing exposing people to carcinogens is harmful.
But, she added, as a taxpayer, she said she was also worried about the liability the field could be to the town.
“We want to make sure we protect the town’s people and the town’s financial stability,” Watson said.
The turf field issue wasn’t on the agenda Wednesday night and the council took no official action. Following the public hearing part of the agenda, the meeting proceeded with other business, and after it adjourned, council member Justin Batalon said, “I haven’t been yelled at by that many women since I was married.”
Council President Donald Fox told ecoRI News after the meeting was over that the town is in the process of gathering more information about the turf and potential PFAS issues.
“Right now, the town is doing and conducting its due diligence and that involves working with experts that we hired, conducting tests, and doing a whole slew of things that we feel are appropriate to protect the town and the townspeople,” Fox said. “That takes time. I am not sure that any of us are prepared to, you know, offer changes on opinions at this point. We’re still waiting to hear back from our own experts. There’s a lot of hyperbole out there.”
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Burrillville School Committee will discuss banning the use of the new artificial turf
Burrillville Town Council
105 Harrisville Main Street
Harrisville, RI. 02830
July 10, 2024
Good Evening,
Regarding the new athletic field in construction at the Burrillville High School, the Burrillville School Committee has major concerns. Our concerns are with the "forever chemicals", particularly polyfluoroalkyl substances (PAS) in the artificial turf soon to be installed within the next 2 to 3 weeks!
These are our concerns:
• The immediate danger is to the health of athletes and kids who will use this field. These children, as they play on this field will inhale these microplastics, wear them on their equipment and clothing and carry them into their homes to expose the rest of their families.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these PAS have affected children's development and contributed to learning and behavior disorders. They have been connected to some cancers, lower immune function, thyroid problems, reproductive issues, and liver disease.
Knowing all this information, the Burrillville School Committee will discuss banning the use of the new artificial turf, and considering the urgency of this matter, legal council will be contacted. It is up to us to protect our children and that means not allowing them to play on this field.
• The longer term danger is that these poisonous chemicals will be installed over our last remaining clean water source for our town! As you know, our town has experienced permanent drinking water contamination in the western and eastern parts of our town. As water leaches off this artificial turf carpet, it will permanently contaminate the aquifer under it. Where will we get our water then? This contamination will also affect the rivers wetlands and waterways, especially those directly below this field. Protecting our water is a huge concern! The Town Council has already received letters that express serious concerns over the installation of the PFAS loaded artificial turf, in particular the Pascoag Utility District, which will soon be responsible for all of the municipal drinking water in Burrillville. they have a major stake in keeping our water safe!
• As of January 1, 2029, the State of Rhode Island will effectively ban the use, sale of, or distribution of artificial turf containing intentionally added PFAS. When these PFAS are banned, it will be illegal to replace the field. This means the Town's warranty is null and void. As of now, there is no alternate product to use that does not contain PFAS. How can we dispose of the used turf so as not to contaminate the environment? Will we have a guarantee from the company supplying the turf that in the future, the replacement turf is PFAS free? Clearly the trend is to move away from their use in any case, so our focus is on the injuries that are clearly associated with artificial turf and the impact related to the budget.
• The School. Committee needs a copy of the contract regarding the artificial turf. Does the Town's contract with the company include a warranty?
• What would a shift to a grass-covered field include, regarding materials and price? Was the loam that was removed part of the bargained agreement? We will need to reacquire it. Spend the money to complete a new field properly that is durable and safe. Do not use a rushed, cheap y option, full of buyers remorse!
Please give our concerns your utmost attention.
We look forward to discussing this matter with you in the very near future.
Monday, July 8, 2024
Burrillville Conservation Commission Advisory Letter to the Town Council
BURRILLVILLE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
105 HARRISVILLE MAIN STREET
HARRISVILLE, RHODE ISLAND 02830
July 8, 2024
To: Members to the Burrillville Town Council; Council President Donald A. Fox, Councilors Stephen N. Rawson, Dennis M. Anderson, Raymond J. Trinque, Jeremy P. Baily, Justin P. Batalon, and David Houle
Cc: Vicki T. Martin, Town Clerk
Subject: Burrillville Conservation Commission Advisory Opinion on the New BHS Athletic Turf Field
The Burrillville Conservation Commission request to place a pause or halt in the construction of the Burrillville High School new turf field until more information can be gathered to perform a new risk assessment of the PFAS (Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or Poly Fluro Alkyl Substances having both PFOA & PFOS acids) found in the materials used in turf fields. We understand that the town has identified a need for an improved playing field, but we are also concerned that the public and town officials may not be aware of the health hazards associated with the installation of the artificial turf field, especially with it being installed over an aquifer zone and close to Clear River.
There is evidence, now, that all artificial turf fields contain PFAS, the “forever chemical” which persists forever and bio-accumulates in the environment and our bodies and moves easily into fresh waters. When PFAS leaches into drinking water and the environment, it is known to harm aquatic life and to cause cancer and a host of other human health problems. The current site of the Burrillville High School Soccer field sits on top of a A-100 Aquifer Zone and is 90 yards uphill from the Clear River and is within 150 to 190 yards to the nearest homes found on Whipple Avenue who may also have private wells.
We need to make the time to hear from the experts on this issue, so many towns have made the mistake of relying on the safety information from companies selling and installing these fields. We need to better understand the environmental and human health risks posed by installing these turf fields. During the pause in the construction of the field, we need to listen to the experts and consultants who are professionals who understand the chemicals found within the turf material and with this site being installed over an aquifer zone we need to closely understand what will be the risks in eight to ten years down the road for any leakage and contamination harm it has done to our environment and ecosystem. If we continue to build this field and find out in a couple or more years from now that we have increased levels of PFAS chemicals found leaching into the test sites at this field this will be a grave concern and could stop the continued use of this field short of its 8-10 life expectancy.
Effective July 8, 2024, The Environmental Protection Agency has designated Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) as hazardous substances. According to the town ordinance (Section 30-202, subsection (f)) hazardous substances are prohibited from aquifer zones. We are asking the Town Council to please reconsider and place an emergency pause on the installation of this turf field and to take another look and to listen to what the experts have to say about the risks and hazards.
Sincerely,
Ronald P. Lapierre
Chairperson
Burrillville Conservation Commission
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Pascoag Utility District: The project should be reexamined
July 3, 2024
President Donald A. Fox
Town Manager Michael C. Wood
DPW Director Jeffrey McCormick
Town of Burrillville
105 Harrisville Main St.
Harrisville, RI 02830
Re: Turf Project at Burrillville High School
Dear Gentlemen:
During the Pascoag Utility District's ("PUD") June Board meeting, a concerned citizen notified the Board that there may be a potential threat of Per- and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) contained in the material of the synthetic turf that is scheduled to be used for the football field project at the Burrillville High School. As you know, PUD water consumers have already suffered through Rhode Island's worst Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) release in history, back in 2001, which single handedly eliminated our only drinking water source for the residents of Pascoag.
The Town of Burrillville has always been proactive regarding important issues concerning the Town. In fact, on page 32 and listed as number three in the Town's Burrillville Hazard Mitigation Plan dated July 2021, aquifer contamination was added. If you refer to page 33 of that plan and the 2014 risk assessment, aquifer contamination was not even a concern at the time. This topic was brought to light, after I mentioned what had happened to our only water source in the Pascoag and Oakland Villages. Both Villages' wells were contaminated and taken out of service. The Pascoag wells that are located at 44 Silver Lake Avenue are contaminated with MTBE and the Oakland Association well located at 1264 Victory Highway, were contaminated with PFAS. Both well sites remain closed. Thankfully, our neighbors from Harrisville were able to provide both Villages with potable water so our customers' water service was not interrupted.
l am happy to report that the merger between the Pascoag Utility District and Harrisville Fire District Water Department passed both the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on June 17, 2024, creating Clear River Electric and Water District effective January 1, 2025. Harrisville Water District is currently the sole water source provider for three Villages within the Town of Burrillville.
Based on our experience, we have some concerns regarding the possibility of trace amounts of PFAS chemicals found in the turf field product. To protect our customers, we are respectfully requesting that the Town review all precautions prior to installing the synthetic turf at the high school.
Since three Villages within the Town are relying on Harrisville as Its sole water supplier, it is Imperative that the Town and local water utilities work together to protect our aquifer for current and future generations. If there is even a chance that any contaminant could infiltrate the water supply, the project should be reexamined.
Very truly yours;
William J. Guertin
General Manager
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
NRINOW: Turf war? Residents aim to halt construction of synthetic football field in Burrillville, citing risk from PFAS
BURRILLVILLE – Concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as forever chemicals – have led a group of town residents to call for a halt to the installation of a synthetic turf field at Burrillville High School.
Roberta Lacey has been leading the charge to inform locals about the dangers of the chemicals with the circulation of flyers, visits before government boards and a public meeting attended by some 15 residents on Sunday night.
“It was a really, really tough decision for me to bring this to the public,” Lacey said this week.
“They do not leave your body,” said Lacey at the meeting on Sunday, June 30. “They just accumulate.”
While it is unknown how many artificial fields in use today contain PFAS, the synthetic turf is known to contain the chemicals, and industry officials have said they need until 2026 to develop alternatives.
In Burrillville, contractor FieldTurf is on track to install a synthetic field at the East Avenue high school this summer. The project was approved in 2022, and the once grassy area where the turf is soon set to be laid down has already been dug up in preparation.
Lacey said she learned that the type of field underway in Burrillville likely contains PFAS in May, and has been researching the issue since.
“I know that they’ve been planning this for a long time,” she said of the athletic facilities upgrade. “Everybody involved probably had really good intentions. I don’t have any problem with the field or what they want to do for the kids in this town. I think it’s great.”
However, she added, “There’s no way they could have known what I found out, because they wouldn’t be putting it in. I really feel like none of them had the information they needed from the company to make an informed decision.”
Lacey brought her concerns before the Burrillville Town Council at their meeting on Wednesday, June 26, represented by Attorney Marisa Desautel of Desautel Browning Law.
“It’s got an extra bad risk to human health and the environment,” Desautel told councilors, noting that the chemicals pose health risks to both humans and animals, and have been linked to cancers; thyroid, immune system and liver problems; and can be fatal to unborn children.
Destautel disputed a report on the chemicals present in the synthetic turf, stating it did not include results for stormwater runoff or liquids.
“PFAS does exist in athletic turf fields,” Destautel said. “The concentrations of regulated PFAS in the report before you are unreported.”
Desautel noted that the proposed football field sits over an aquifer, and said that the project has the potential to contaminate private wells at several homes in the area. Plans to address the problem on the state and federal level, she noted, include litigation.
“This would include the town,” said Desautel. “The EPA and DEM would not rule out looking to Burrillville High School or the town of Burrillville for enforcement action.”
“Bottom line: this is a massive health risk,” she said.
Last Wednesday, Chris Hulk, director of design and construction for FieldTurf, disputed her assessment.
“We go to great lengths to make sure we are testing all of our materials,” Hulk said, describing testing used for the council’s report as, “standard.” “We know that this is a growing concern.”
Councilor Jeremy Bailey asked Hulk if he could guarantee that water would not get PFAS contamination as a result of the new turf. In response, Hulk cited a problem common to analysis of such fields’ impact on the environment: Because PFAS are everywhere, it is difficult to determine the source of such pollution.
Councilor Dennis Anderson noted that the presence of the chemicals in the turf was measured in parts per trillion.
“I have huge skepticism of measuring anything that tiny,” said Anderson. “I just think this stuff is everywhere.”
It was an observation also cited by Elizabeth Denly of TRC Environmental Consulting, an independent firm hired by the town to assess the threat. Denly outlined the company’s testing methods, noting the fields were found to contain PFAS that are, “orders of magnitude below,” the standard.
“We’re talking very trace levels,” Denly said. “I think we’ve shown through now a few different sets of tests that very low levels of a very limited number of PFAS in the turf does not represent a risk to human health, to those that are using the ball fields, and that it doesn’t pose a risk to the environment, the groundwater, the surface water and the aquifer. There’s certain levels that are acceptable They’re not really seeing anything in this turf.”
The standards, however, are continually changing, and becoming more stringent as both state and federal level authorities look to protect human health. Just last week, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a law banning the addition of PFAS to most consumer products sold or manufactured in the state by Jan. 1, 2027, with additional products banned on Jan. 1, 2029. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has also taken recent measures to protect consumers from the chemicals, reclassifying PFAS as a hazardous substance as of July 8. And the EPA’s stated goal is to set the acceptable level of water contamination at zero.
Desautel pointed to the discovery of PFAS last year in a well at North Smithfield High School, downgradient from a synthetic field installed by the company just two years earlier. The attorney noted that a well at a higher elevation on the same property had not been affected, and said that PFAS can be found in a circle that radiates around the North Smithfield field.
Councilors asked Hulk if he was involved with the North Smithfield project and he said he was.
“This is the first I’m hearing about any sort of issues with the wells downstream,” Hulk said, adding that it was, “hard to say,” what might be contributing to the problem.
Councilor Raymond Trinque pointed to the ubiquity of the substance.
“What’s going to happen when there’s no pans, no raincoats, no turf fields? What’s the answer?” Trinque asked.
Councilors ultimately took no action on the issue.
Despite the limited time left for the town to reverse course, for Lacey, it seems the fight has just begun.
“I had hoped that bringing this to everybody would be enough,” she said.
Her and others concerned about the issue have begun circulating both a physical and online petition with the intention to go back before the council.
“When you think of Burrillville, you think we’re land rich. We”re water rich. But we’re in trouble,” Lacey said. “We’ve (already) had two very serious contaminations. We all, unfortunately, know in Burrillville about contaminated water. Harrisville is all we’ve got.”
“These fields are made to leach,” she said. “They’re a big giant carpet. We all know where that leaching is going to go. I just think it’s a tragedy that they’re still being allowed to do this.”
Editor’s note: The original version of this article stated that TRC Consulting was working on behalf of contractor FieldTurf. TRC is an independent firm that was contracted by the town to assess the danger. We apologize for the error.
SOURCE: https://www.nrinow.news/2024/07/02/turf-war-residents-aim-to-halt-construction-of-synthetic-football-field-in-burrillville-citing-risk-from-pfas/