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