<div dir="ltr">FYI, tomorrow (Thursday) at 6pm, there is a community meeting<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr">to discuss the plan to install two artificial fields at the Steinbeck<br>School in San Jose, in case someone might be interested in <br>
voicing their concerns.<br>
<br> Sponsored by: <br> Councilmember Nancy Pyle<br> San José Unified School District and <br> Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services<br><br> Subject:<br> Sports Field Improvements<br>
Community Meeting for the<br> Allen at Steinbeck<br><br> Time and Location:<br><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><span> Thursday, September 29, 2011</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><span> 6-7pm</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><span> Allen @ Steinbeck Elementary School</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><span> 820 Steinbeck Drive</span></font></p> <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><font size="2">at the Indoor Commons</font><br>
<br></span>Best,<br>Amir Farrahi<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Amir Farrahi</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:afarrahi@acm.org" target="_blank">afarrahi@acm.org</a>></span><br>
Date: Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 2:21 AM<br>Subject: Re: [SSJ-Info] ****Reminder for tomorrow, THURSDAY NIGHT, 6pm at Allen at Steinbeck*****2 NEW TURF Fields in South San Jose!<br>To: "Semone, Jeff" <<a href="mailto:jeff.semone@stryker.com" target="_blank">jeff.semone@stryker.com</a>><br>
Cc: "<a href="mailto:ssj-info@ssjysl.org" target="_blank">ssj-info@ssjysl.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:ssj-info@ssjysl.org" target="_blank">ssj-info@ssjysl.org</a>><br><br><br><div dir="ltr">Folks,<br><br>The information and resources available at the following links provide additional<br>
material and references on the subject of potential drawbacks, maintenance <br>costs, and health concerns associated with artificial turf, as compared to natural<br>
grass:<br><br> <a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/</a><br> <a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/pages/consumer-resources/" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/pages/consumer-resources/</a><br>
<a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/files/file/2e0d8bf4-da79-4de9-b988-abeb60ee8fbd" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/files/file/2e0d8bf4-da79-4de9-b988-abeb60ee8fbd</a> (save and view as a .pdf file)<br>
<br>I know that this might be a sensitive issue on which reasonable people may disagree<br>
with me. However, I felt that I need to share my concerns with the community, and<br>help raise awareness about potential concerns related to health risks, negative <br>environmental impact, and increased potential for severe bruises and joint injuries <br>
with other members of the community so as to allow the community to hear the <br>arguments against the installation of artificial turfs, as well.<br><br><br>Best,<br><font color="#888888">Amir Farrahi<br><br>-------------</font><div>
<div></div><div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">
On Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 11:58 PM, Amir Farrahi <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:afarrahi@acm.org" target="_blank">afarrahi@acm.org</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">Hi Jeff and All,<br><br>As a member of the community, a parent, and a soccer enthusiast, who has been<br>playing soccer for over 35 years now and continues to do so several times a week <br>until this day, I would like to voice my strong opposition to this turf initiative. There <br>
are numerous studies that point to the negative aspects of synthetic turfs, from many<br>different perspectives from environmental, to toxicity, to heath, to increased strain <br>on joints and other injuries.<br>
<br>Below is an email I sent to some folks in our local league in the Almaden area with<br>a few links that I collected when the subject of artificial turf came up during a meeting, <br>for those who would like to consider the arguments against installation of (artificial) turf <br>
fields.<br><br>I have not looked further since, but I am sure more recent articles and studies can<br>
be found on the subject that shed light on potential health, environmental and other<br>
drawbacks associated with turf fields, as compared to natural grass. I do not have<br>any problems with lights, but I feel it should not be bundled with a turf field, and in<br>fact I feel there is something sinister about any such bundling, in effect to sugar-coat <br>
the negative aspects of a turf field with and make the community swallow the pill that<br>in my humble opinion and based on my understanding and looking into the matter is <br>not beneficial at all to the greater community. Here is just one out of many links provided <br>
below (feel free to checkout the rest):<br>
<br> 14) <a href="http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/health_effects.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.ehhi.org/reports/<span>turf</span>/health_effects.shtml</a><br>
Environment and Human Health, Inc.<br>
<span> Artificial</span> <span>Turf</span>: Exposures to Ground Up Rubber Tires - Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Garden Mulch<br>
SUMMARY OF TOXIC ACTIONS<br>
<br>
In summary, the toxic actions of concern from the materials that were <br>
released from recycled crumb rubber include:<br>
<br>
* Severe irritation of the respiratory system<br>
* Severe irritation of the eyes, skin and mucous membranes<br>
* Systemic effects on the liver and kidneys<br>
* Neurotoxic responses<br>
* Allergic reactions<br>
* Cancers<br>
* Developmental effects<br>
<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
Amir Farrahi. PhD<br>
<div dir="ltr">=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<br>"Most of us," said the cosmic humorist, "go through life not knowing what<br> we want, but feeling darned sure this isn't it.".<br>
<br> -- Ken Keyes, Jr.<br> Handbook to Higher Consciousness<br>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=</div>
<br> From: Amir Farrahi (<a href="mailto:afarrahi@acm.org" target="_blank">afarrahi@acm.org</a>><br> Date: Mon., Mar 24, 2008at 8:25 AM<br> Subject: More on Synthetic Turf<br><br> Hi David,<br>
<br> As promised, here are some articles regarding certain health and environmental<br> concerns associated with synthetic turfs:<br><br> 1) Risk on Injury on <span>Artificial</span> <span>Turf</span> and Grass<br>
<a href="http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/41/suppl_1/i33" target="_blank">http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/41/suppl_1/i33</a><br>
Summary of my concern, quoted from this page:<br> ... In matches,<sup> </sup>the incidence of serious injuries was significantly higher on<sup><br> </sup><span>artificial</span> <span>turf</span> (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.2; p = 0.03). Ankle<sup> </sup>sprain was the <br>
most common type of injury (34% of all acute<sup> </sup>injuries), and there was a <br> trend towards more ankle sprains<sup> </sup>on <span>artificial</span> <span>turf</span> than on grass<br>
<br> 2) <span>Artificial</span> <span>Turf</span> and Health Concerns<br>
<a href="http://www.wellesleyma.gov/pages/WellesleyMA_SpragueResources/3%20Articles%20-%20Artificial%20Turf%20and%20Health%20Concerns.doc" target="_blank">http://www.wellesleyma.gov/pages/WellesleyMA_SpragueResources/3%20Articles%20-%20Artificial%20Turf%20and%20Health%20Concerns.doc</a><br>
<br> 3) The Risk of Injuries playing in <span>Artificial</span> Turfs vs. Grass<br> <a href="http://lib.bioinfo.pl/pmid:16990444" target="_blank">http://lib.bioinfo.pl/pmid:16990444</a><br> Notable excerpt: ... The higher incidence of ankle sprain on <span>artificial</span> <span>turf</span> <br>
warrants
further attention, though this result should be interpreted with
<br> caution since the number of ankle sprains was low.<br><br> 4) <b style="font-weight: normal;">Risk of Knee and Ankle Sprains under Various Weather Conditions in American Football</b><br> <a href="http://www.acsm-msse.org/pt/re/msse/abstract.00005768-200307000-00008.htm" target="_blank">http://www.acsm-msse.org/pt/re/msse/abstract.00005768-200307000-00008.htm</a><br>
Notable excerpt: ...Results: There was reduced risk of significant ankle sprains <br> (at least
7-d time loss) for games in natural grass stadiums compared with domes<br> (indoor stadiums using AstroTurf) (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.58-0.83). There
was also <br> reduced risk of significant knee sprains on grass compared
with domes<br><br> 5) <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/25/turf_wars_heat_up_grass_vs_synthetic/" target="_blank">http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/25/turf_wars_heat_up_grass_vs_synthetic/</a><br>
6) <a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=131&z=36" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=131&z=36</a><br> 7) <a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=130&z=36" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=130&z=36</a><br>
8) <a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/SyntheticTurfIndustry.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/SyntheticTurfIndustry.pdf</a><br> 9) <a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/ArtificialTurfBooklet.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/ArtificialTurfBooklet.pdf</a><br>
10) <a href="http://new.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/Surface_Comparison_Heat_Study__F.pdf" target="_blank">http://new.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/Surface_Comparison_Heat_Study__F.pdf</a><br> 11) <a href="http://new.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/Recorded_Temperature_Comparisons_Chart.pdf" target="_blank">http://new.turfgrasssod.org/pdfs/Recorded_Temperature_Comparisons_Chart.pdf</a><br>
<br> Additionally, this survey of professional football players and their<br> preference towards grass or <span>artificial</span> <span>turf</span> is really interesting:<br><br> 12) <a href="http://www.turfgrasssod.org/webarticles/articlefiles/130-NFLPA_Players_Playing_Surface_Survey.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.turfgrasssod.org/webarticles/articlefiles/130-NFLPA_Players_Playing_Surface_Survey.pdf</a><br>
<br> 13) <a href="http://www.athleticturf.net/athleticturf/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=525751" target="_blank">http://www.athleticturf.net/athleticturf/content/printContentPopup.jsp?id=525751</a><br>
Center for Environmental Health (CEH) says lead problem in synthetic <span>turf</span> goes beyond sports <span>turf</span><br> June 24, 2008<br><br> Children playing on <span>artificial</span> grass can be exposed when lead from <span>turf</span> wipes off <br>
onto their hands (from hand-to-mouth behaviors), and young children may be more at <br>
risk since they are more likely to swallow <span>turf</span> material. Children can also be exposed <br> when <span>turf</span> degrades in the sun and releases lead-tainted dust<br>
<br> 14) <a href="http://www.ehhi.org/reports/turf/health_effects.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.ehhi.org/reports/<span>turf</span>/health_effects.shtml</a><br>
Environment and Human Health, Inc.<br><span> Artificial</span> <span>Turf</span>: Exposures to Ground Up Rubber Tires - Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Garden Mulch<br> SUMMARY OF TOXIC ACTIONS<br>
<br> In summary, the toxic actions of concern from the materials that were <br>
released from recycled crumb rubber include:<br><br> * Severe irritation of the respiratory system<br> * Severe irritation of the eyes, skin and mucous membranes<br> * Systemic effects on the liver and kidneys<br>
* Neurotoxic responses<br> * Allergic reactions<br> * Cancers<br> * Developmental effects<br><br> 15) <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-astroturf-lead15-2009aug15,0,157632.story" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-astroturf-lead15-2009aug15,0,157632.story</a>
<div><br></div> Under the agreement, AstroTurf agreed to reformulate its products to <div><b> reduce traces of lead (NOT ELIMINATE IT? WHAT THE F&*^???)</b>. <br> Lead had been used to keep green colors from fading over time.</div>
<b></b><div><br> Other than lead, there are likely many other health concerns with <span>artificial</span> <br> <span>turf</span> that needs to be looked at closely. This part in interesting to know:</div>
<div><br></div><div> California decided to take action against the three companies after </div><div> it
received a legal notice from an advocacy group, Oakland-based Center </div><div> for Environmental Health, that it intended to file a private lawsuit on </div><div> the lead-warning issue.</div>
<br><br> As I mentioned, I have played soccer for over 30 years and continue to <br> do so a few times a week. I have played on many types of fields, including<br> hard courts such as asphalt, gravel, as well as grass, and synthetic <span>turf</span>.<br>
My personal experience is that there is a higher risk of injury on synthetic<br><span> turf</span> because of the unnatural feeling and instability of the surface, and<br> I have felt extra pressure on my knee and ankles on such fields, even though <br>
the surface is much more level. A couple of my friends whom I've talked to <br> also told me that they feel much more pressure on their joints when playing <br> on synthetic <span>turf</span>. Same thing is clearly reflected by the result of the surveys<br>
conducted and summarized in item 12 above on American Football players<br> and their preference.<br><br> As I said, I would be happy to attend an AVYSL board meeting and discuss<br> my concerns, if you think that it would help. I think there is enough serious<br>
concern regarding the synthetic turfs for me as a parent and a member of<br> the community to be highly disappointed when I hear that these fields are <br> the "best fields for our kids to play on" (and therefore we should raise more<br>
money to pay for the ability to have our kids play on them), when there seem <br> to be growing number of people and studies pointing the other way.<br><br><br> Best,<br> Amir Farrahi<br><br>
------------<br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div><div></div><div>On Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 8:42 PM, Semone, Jeff <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jeff.semone@stryker.com" target="_blank">jeff.semone@stryker.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
</div></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;"><div><div></div><div>
<div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Hello again! If you can, PLEASE Be there, we need our city leadership to see our support!<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The League needs your support! There is an opportunity for us to have <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">2 FULL-SIZE turf fields with lights</span> added within the boundary of our League, and we need your support to have it constructed! Please plan on bringing your family, friends and neighbors with you to show the City of San Jose we support this plan:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Thursday, September 29, 2011<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">6-7pm<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Allen @ Steinbeck Elementary School<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">820 Steinbeck Drive<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18pt;">at the Indoor Commons<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">See you there!<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Jeff Semone<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">President SSJYSL<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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