Latest news with #LD1177
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Forgoing moratorium, committee backs plan to study health impacts of artificial turf
Artificial turf can contain some toxic chemicals, including phthalates, which have been known to increase risks of cancer, asthma and other negative health outcomes. (Photo: Aire images/ Getty) Forgoing a moratorium on new artificial turf fields, lawmakers are recommending the state still study the effects they could have on public health and the environment. The members of the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee who were present for a work session Wednesday afternoon unanimously endorsed an amended version of LD 1177. The bill will next go to the Maine House of Representatives and Senate for approval. Originally, the bill sought to place a three-year moratorium on the installation and reinstallation of synthetic turf athletic fields while the Department of Environmental Protection conducted a study to determine how those materials interact with the health of local environments and the people who recreate on those fields. However, the amended bill backed by the committee nixed the moratorium and narrowed the study to look at how synthetic turf affects ambient air, groundwater and surrounding organisms, as well as disposal options once the fields reach the end of their life. The study would also evaluate any release of microplastics from the fields and the effect of that on the surrounding environment and human health. The department would need to submit a report to the Legislature with its findings in the study by January 2028. Commissioner Melanie Loyzim said the department is comfortable with the amended proposal and feels it is within their expertise and jurisdiction. However, she said it will require additional resources so the bill will likely end up on what is called the 'special study table,' where legislative leaders determine which studies will get funded. If the department used an environmental consulting firm to assist with the study, Loyzim said it could cost around $100,000 to $200,000, but the department would look to use students and research resources from the University of Maine, potentially, to bring those costs down. Sen. Denise Tepler (D-Sagadahoc), who co-chairs the committee, said it was interesting to hear conflicting science on the issue, so she thinks an analysis of existing literature and any new research would be helpful for future decision making. Her fellow co-chair, Rep. Vicki Doudera (D-Camden), echoed the sentiment, describing the turf issue as 'tricky.' 'I really am in support of studying this further and getting a handle on what's going on,' Doudera said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Athletes, environmentalists debate proposed statewide ban on artificial turf fields in Maine
Apr. 9—There is a price to be paid whenever Ben Grassi plays soccer on synthetic turf. The senior Mount View High School defender told state lawmakers Wednesday that his knees and hips ache from trying to start, stop and jump on the slippery, pebble-topped surfaces at rival schools. And because the rubber absorbs heat, turf fields leave him more tired and dehydrated than grass. The varsity co-captain says synthetic turf slide burns are more painful and heal slower than grass burns. "As you consider state policy around artificial turf, it is my hope that you prioritize the health and success of Maine student-athletes, rather than any perceived benefits regarding ease of maintenance and cost savings," Grassi said during a legislative committee hearing on a proposed artificial turf moratorium. The proposed legislation, LD 1177, would pause the installation of new synthetic turf statewide for three years while the Maine Department of Environmental Protection completes a study of its environmental and health impacts. Existing fields could remain in use but could not be patched or replaced. Artificial turf has been a topic of heated debate for years, in Maine and across the country. Critics highlight the environmental and health risks. Synthetic turf contributes to microplastic pollution and often contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals like lead and mercury that can leach into the soil and groundwater. It can become dangerously hot in the summer, posing risks to athletes. Supporters like its durability, low maintenance and year-round usability. Synthetic turf doesn't require watering or mowing, making it attractive to communities looking to save on upkeep costs. It provides a consistent playing surface in adverse weather conditions, like those in Maine. Biddeford Athletic Director Dennis Walton led the charge in defense of synthetic turf during Wednesday's three-hour public hearing. He said synthetic turf had some environmental benefits over grass fields that critics didn't want to admit, like not needing pesticides and using less water. His biggest complaint was about the bill's top-down approach to making community decisions. "This legislation undermines the principle of local control that should govern these important decisions," Walton said. "If the goal is truly to gather information, why not conduct the study without restricting local control in the meantime?" His concerns were echoed by the athletic directors from Lewiston and Sanford high schools, as well the University of Maine — which highlighted student-athlete support for playing on synthetic turf — and a trade group of independent high schools and colleges that include Colby, Bates and Bowdoin. The Mills administration didn't take a position on the bill, which was introduced by Assistant House Majority Leader Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach. DEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim said it was logical to question the use of synthetic turf but warned that her department would need funding to conduct such a study. The number of Maine middle and high schools with artificial turf has more than doubled in the last decade. There are 35 middle and high schools with artificial turf fields, plus another 20 or so at Maine colleges, said Mike Burnham, executive director of the Maine Principals' Association. Many of those projects have met with local resistance from groups worried about environmental damages. But new artificial turf fields have replaced natural grass fields at several high schools in the last five years, including at Kennebunk, Messalonskee in Oakland, Cony in Augusta and Gardiner. South Portland will ask voters to choose whether they want to improve the school's athletic complex with a $4.3 million natural grass option, a $5.1 million artificial turf option or no improvements. Kittery, Cumberland and the Gray-New Gloucester district have all grappled with the issue over the last year. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers contemplate pause on artificial turf to study potential health, environmental hazards
Artificial turf can contain some toxic chemicals, including phthalates, which have been known to increase risks of cancer, asthma and other negative health outcomes. (Photo: Aire images/ Getty) Voters in South Portland may be asked on the November ballot to choose between natural grass and artificial turf at the high school athletics complex, but that project could face a hiccup from Augusta with a bipartisan group of lawmakers trying to pause synthetic field projects. The Maine Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing Wednesday for a proposal to put a three-year moratorium on installing and replacing artificial turf fields while the Department of Environmental Protection studies whether it is a risk to public health and the environment. 'I urge you to consider the safety of both our children, our environment and to support this legislation,' said Assistant House Majority Leader Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach) when presenting LD 1177. While supporters of the bill echoed Gramlich's concern for microplastics and other chemicals that could leach into waterways and human bodies, its opponents wondered why that sort of analysis can't be done without a moratorium that could cause costly disruptions to efforts to build and maintain these fields. Gramlich said current data and studies about the potential risks from artificial turf is scattered, so asking the department to vet and compile those findings would make it easier for Mainers to access reliable information to apprise decisions in their communities. South Portland resident Mary Linneman spoke of the time-consuming research she and others in her community have undertaken to advocate for a natural grass field. She supports LD 1177 because delegating that work to the state could make the process more efficient for other communities who may face similar questions. Gramlich also spoke of health risks to children who play on these surfaces, such as increased chance of dehydration since artificial turf can get hotter than regular grass. Though, there is also evidence that natural grass could pose a greater risk of concussions, especially while playing football. A senior at Mount View High School in Thorndike told the committee he experiences more knee and hip pain after playing soccer on a turf field, when sharing the reasons why he is in support of the bill. Other proponents of the bill raised concerns about the toxic chemicals found in artificial turf including phthalates, which have been known to increase risks of cancer, asthma and other negative health outcomes. There was also discussion about the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in the artificial turf; however, fields with intentionally added PFAS will already be banned in the coming years under current state law. Despite industry improvements to eliminate PFAS and move away from using recycled rubber in these fields, testing may not capture all types of forever chemicals, said Sarah Woodbury, vice president of policy and advocacy for Defend Our Health. At the same time, she said the organic materials to replace the rubber are often still treated with chemicals for durability. Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford), a cosponsor of the bill, also expressed worries about these fields ending up in landfills when Maine is already facing a solid waste 'crisis.' Turf fields generally need to be replaced every 10 years. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Melanie Loyzim testified neither for nor against the bill. She said there are logical questions around using turf, but certain language in the bill should be clarified and the department would need more resources to complete the proposed work. Dennis Walton, athletic director for Biddeford Schools, argued it violates the principle of local control and fails to recognize the environmental hazards such as pesticides, mowing and high water usage needed to maintain natural fields. Superintendent Jeffrey Porter also opposed the bill because MSAD 51 is in the process of installing a turf field for the Cumberland-North Yarmouth district after a 20-person committee spent three months researching and deciding on a PFAS-free product to replace its current grass field that is in poor condition. Athletics facilities at the University of Maine are undergoing overdue maintenance, including the addition of artificial turf fields, said Samantha Warren, chief external and governmental affairs officer, testifying against the bill. She said the university contracted with manufacturers whose products align with the state's current PFAS regulations, but this proposal would 'move those goalposts' and cost the university more money to redesign the project. Additionally, artificial turf is important when recruiting students to play at the state's only Division I school, Warren said. While turf is used at many collegiate facilities across the country, professional athletes have come out against its use including the NFL Players Association and the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Mayor Mark Dion said Portland has invested in artificial turf to provide safe, accessible and durable athletic spaces throughout the city. Rather than implementing a moratorium, Dion suggested in his written testimony that the state should collaborate with municipalities while trying to better understand the environmental impacts. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine Legislature to discuss three-year halt on artificial turf installation
Apr. 8—A bill to place a three-year moratorium on the installation or reinstallation of artificial turf on indoor and outdoor playing fields will get its first public hearing Wednesday in a meeting of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. LD 1177, sponsored by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, with bipartisan co-sponsoring support from nine other members of Maine's state House and Senate, was submitted on March 20. It asks for a three-year halt on installing any synthetic turf in Maine. That includes replacing existing and worn-out turf and covers both indoor and outdoor spaces. The bill would also require a study of the public health and environmental risks of synthetic turf, often referred to as artificial turf. The Portland nonprofit Defend Our Health worked with Gramlich to craft the legislation, said Sarah Woodbury, the organization's vice president of policy and advocacy. Woodbury said synthetic turf often has common toxic materials, including heavy metals like mercury and lead, as well as PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals." "There's all sorts of nasty stuff in this turf, and that's not even looking at the higher incidence of injuries on artificial turf," Woodbury said. The issue of artificial turf's safety, and whether it can be linked to causing cancer, has been a point of public debate for years. But in Maine's challenging weather environment, the number of middle and high schools with artificial turf has more than doubled in the last decade. When Massabesic installed its turf in 2016, it was the 16th middle and high school. Now there are 35 middle and high schools with artificial turf fields, and another 20 or so turf fields at Maine colleges, according to Mike Burnham, executive director of the Maine Principals' Association. Many of those building projects have met with local resistance from groups concerned about environmental damages. But new artificial turf fields have replaced natural grass fields at several high schools in the last five years, including Kenenbunk, Messalonskee in Oakland, Cony in Augusta, and Gardiner. South Portland will ask voters to choose whether they want to improve the school's athletic complex with a $4.3 million natural grass option, a $5.1 million artificial turf option or no improvements. Other communities that have dealt with or are still grappling with the issue in the past year include Kittery, Cumberland, and the Gray-New Gloucester district. The new professional men's soccer team, the Portland Hearts of Pine, paid to replace the old artificial turf field at city-owned Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland with a new artificial playing surface. "It's just adding more toxic plastics in the world, and we don't need that," Woodbury said. "The argument we hear a lot of times is, 'It's not that big a deal, we've been using them for 50 years, we're fine.' We're not that fine. It's more body burden." Woodbury said she anticipates doctors from the Maine chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility will speak in favor of the bill, along with several concerned parents. A key component of the bill is having the Department of Environmental Protection complete a thorough study of the available research to determine the impact of synthetic turf fields during the proposed three-year moratorium. It would not require that existing synthetic turf fields be removed. "We think it's important, at the very least, to bring public awareness to these concerns," Woodbury said. Copy the Story Link
