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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.

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