Residents Voice Health Concerns With BCC Turf Field Project
 Edward Wetzel doesn't want to take the risk of installing a turf field when it could cause cancer. |
Residents voiced concerns on Thursday night to the Conservation Commission, which needed to approve some of the project because work will be done in areas prone to flooding.
The facility itself is out of the wetlands area and the project increases the amount of watershed area so the commission had little grounds to deny the project.
Yet, residents hoped for a rejection saying the chemicals will run into the wetlands eventually.
"Shame on all of us if this project goes forward as planned because we know the risks," said resident Edward Wetzel.
Under the turf itself is a layer of what's known as "crumb rubber" that is made out of car and truck tires.
The rubber can be loaded with suspected carcinogens and researchers have questioned whether the rubber could be the cause of some cancers.
"There are a number of chemicals that go into manufacturing rubber tires," resident Carol Zullo said.
While it may not be clear if the turf fields are hazardous, Wetzel said it isn't worth taking the risk. Should the studies show that it is, the city would be responsible not only for health issues but also on the hook to remove the turf and would be liable to lawsuits, he said.
"This crumb rubber does not stay in place," Wetzel said. "The crumbs will migrate."
The location near the river, wetlands, and the watershed raised additional concerns about the environment and aquatic life.
"Our main concern is these rubber crumbs traveling off the field and into the wetlands," Zullo said. "It is a nice, nice area so why introduce so many toxins?"
Emily Stockman, from Stockman Associates, represented the college on Thursday and said the proponents are aware of the concerns and are looking at alternatives from the crumb rubber.
The project is being constructed by the state, the city, and fundraising. The $2 million project will not only build new playing fields for local sports groups but also upgraded lighting, seating, concessions, and press box. The facility will be operated not only for local sporting events but organizers say it will attract tournaments, too — tournaments the Berkshires have previously been unable to hold because of the inadequacies on some of the playing fields.
The city is contributing $200,000 to the project.
For the Conservation Commission, what the field is made of isn't under their jurisdiction because the field itself isn't being built in protected areas - just some of the site work is. The watershed area will be increased to 11 acres, which is good news for the commission members.
"Overall this is a good project from the conservation point of view," member Thomas Sakshaug said.
Tags: BCC, health risk, playing fields, turf field,
