Artificial concerns
New York State Assembly take a stand on synthetic and artificial surfaces
NEW York Assembly member Steven Englebright announced his introduction of a bill that would prevent further installation of synthetic or artificial turf until the NYS Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation complete a study of the potential adverse environmental and public health impacts of this material. The bill would also require that any installation of artificial turf trigger a site- specific environmental assessment under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
Englebright stated, “Before we take risks with our children’s health and drinking water quality, we need to make sure that the uncertainties that may be associated with the many artificial turf playing fields and playgrounds that are being installed are fully investigated. Synthetic turf has been found to contain numerous hazardous contaminants, including lead, arsenic, cadmium and
chromium, and may not be an appropriate replacement for natural and other materials in all settings.”
The use of crumb rubber has dramatically increased with the focus on finding markets for scrap tyres generated annually in New York and waste tyre dump remediation projects. This material can be used for synthetic turf, rubberised asphalt for road surfaces, mulch and other products. The concerns arising from the use of this material include health impacts such as inhalation and dermal exposure and off-gassing into structures, as well as groundwater and soil contamination.
Englebright explained, “We are placing this limited (six month)
moratorium on the installation of synthetic turf until the Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation can examine the potential adverse effect associated with certain uses and venues. It is prudent to take a step back before we leap into a situation where the health, environmental and economic consequences become overwhelming.”
Co-sponsors of the Bill, William Colton and David Koon, cautioned, “Local governments across the state are buying and installing synthetic turf, despite warnings about the potential hazards of this material.
Dr. Kathleen Burns of Sciencecorps stated, “Good public health practice requires protection of communities, and especially children, from unnecessary harm. For the sake of all concerned, the state should move quickly so that parents, communities and schools districts can obtain the information they need to make informed decisions.
Joel R. Kupferman, Executive Director of the New York Environmental Law and Justice
Growing a profession
CGCSA, GCSAA and FEGGA reach agreement at Jönköping summit to bring golf world together
THE game of golf is now being played in some 38 countries within Europe, with some 4,270,000 registered golfers enjoying the game on courses prepared by a very committed Greenkeeping profession.
The boundaries have extended dramatically over the past few years and, with the growth in the game, more greenkeepers will be needed. Even in recent years there has been a shortage of Greenkeepers within some of the more established countries such as Sweden and Finland.
In Eastern and South Eastern Europe, golf has clearly begun to get established. The development is stronger in some countries than others and, whilst it is exciting to see these countries developing the game, it is important that it is done in the right way.
Whilst this development is taking place on one side, markets, like the UK, have now reached a level where, it can be argued, in some areas, there are too many golf courses, with too few golfers!
So, the need to bring more greenkeepers into the industry,
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and to further develop existing skills, is a priority. Education is a key requirement.
FEGGA has, during the last five years, been working with its member countries in developing minimum standards. It has also been working with new golfing countries in helping them to formulate educational programmes. This has led to the formation of a European Greenkeeping Education Unit (EGEU) that will be launched in the very near future.
The role and aims of the new unit will be:
• To serve the purpose of bringing together European Greenkeeping education programmes under the same quality standards of competence.
• Composed of representatives from respected educational institutes and administrators from within the greenkeeping sector but independent from their individual countries and based upon their educational expertise.
• Working closely with the EGA, R&A, FEGGA, BIGGA and GTC,
supporting each other in the goal to strengthen and expand Greenkeeping education.
• An independent Unit.
• To provide a European framework for Greenkeeping education and training.
• Supporting developing countries to meet their own particular needs.
Standards will be set at three levels, these being:
1. Golf course greenkeeping - (maintenance skills, knowledge and attitudes).
2. Golf course supervisor - (skills, knowledge and attitude beyond craft (above) plus supervisory skills and knowledge)
3. Golf Course Management - (skills, knowledge and attitude required to manage a golf course).
This initiative, which is supported by the major golfing organisations, will lead to much higher recognition for Greenkeepers, with the goal
being to see the profession as a first choice career option throughout the world.
During the recent International Summit on Golf Course Management held in Jönköping, Sweden, organisations representing Greenkeepers at two-thirds of the world’s golf courses affirmed their commitment to ensuring golf’s compatibility with the environment and identifying professional standards for those who manage golf courses.
Representatives from the Canadian Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Association signed two documents, these being:
1. Guidelines Supporting the Position of Golf Course Manager and,
2. Golf Environmental Efforts & Guidelines.
Project, stated, “The components of artificial turf contain many chemicals, some of which are toxic and others which are known carcinogens. Without adequately assessing the potential environmental health hazards local agencies cannot fulfill the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
Manufacturers and suppliers to the synthetic field industry vigorously dispute these claims. These include companies that supply products necessary for their installation, such as infill material, including sand and crumb rubber. They say that repeated tests have shown that synthetic fields, including the infill material, do not pose health risks to field users.
John B. Giraud, managing director for Target Technologies International, a major supplier of crumb rubber, responded to allegations that it is harmful to the environment and field users. He claims that the use of crumb rubber infill does not contribute to water pollution, is not a signficant source of harmful dust and is an inert substance that does not harm field users.
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