Join the Children’s Environmental Health Working Group of the
Collaborative on Health and the Environment-WA (CHE-WA)
at their November meeting:

Thursday, November 12, 9:30 to 11:30 AM

Includes a Special Update on Health and Environmental Impacts of Artificial Turf Fields and Crumb Rubber *

Speakers Dr. Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT and Dr. Dave Anderson, PhD, will present the latest scientific information on health and environmental impacts of artificial turf fields made with recycled crumb rubber. Schools, cities and parks are replacing natural fields with artificial turf using crumb rubber, leading to concern from parents, neighbors and local decision makers. Learn more about artificial turf fields and their alternatives.   

New studies on harmful exposure and attention from the Women’s World Cup, where the field used recycled crumb rubber and the athletes had complaints, have brought controversy to these local playfields.

Studies confirm that crumb rubber contains a long list of carcinogens, heavy metals, phthalates (and other endocrine disruptors), as well as carbon black. Since children’s physiology is developing, toxic exposure may disrupt natural growth processes resulting in long-term negative health effects.

“Safe to play on means something to parents that I don’t think we intended to convey and I don’t think we should have conveyed.” -Elliot F. Kaye, Chairman of Consumer Products Safety Commission

Where: Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds WA  98020- free onsite and street parking.

For more information about CHE-WA, contact Gail Gensler at 206-263-1654.

For information about the meeting and crumb rubber, contact Laura Johnson at [email protected].

Hosted by: Senator Maralyn Chase, Washington Alliance for Nontoxic Play and Athletic Fields (WANPAF), Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP), and Washington Members of the Safe Healthy Playing Fields Coalition (SHPFC). 

*Presentations on artificial turf and crumb rubber concerns will begin at approximately 10:30am, after CHE-WA meeting opening content. Public is welcome to attend full meeting or arrive at 10:30 for special presentation.