This is so incredibly sad and is yet another example of how everyday items or things that many of us dont think twice about can harbor a hidden danger. Just because we can do something, doesnt mean we should... From Coconuts and Kettlebells: Have you played on an artificial turf field? Or, have your kids? Invented in 1964 by Monsanto, the first version of artificial turf was synthetic ‘grass’ laid on top of concrete. It was eventually upgraded to include styrene butadiene rubber, or “crumb rubber,” which are those tiny black crumbs made from pulverized car tires that give it bounce. The bad news? Tens of thousands of different tires from different brands may be used in one field. According to the EPA, mercury, lead, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and arsenic, among several other chemicals, heavy metals, and carcinogens, have been found in tires. And folks, the risks associated with exposure to environmental toxins is REAL. Amy Griffer, womens soccer coach at the University of Washington found it peculiar that two young goal keepers she coached were both diagnosed with non-Hodkin lymphoma. Since then, Griffin has done some investigation. Shes compiled a list of 38 American soccer players, all of who have been diagnosed at a young age with cancer. 34 of them are goalies, who notoriously spend more time diving into the turf. While this doesnt prove that artificial turfs are dangerous, connecting the dots gives us something to think about. Until proven unsafe - artificial turf fields will be around. Remind you of anything?
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:56:25 +0000