Policy Order O-9

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has huge demands for the use of playing fields throughout the city; and

WHEREAS: The natural grass playing fields are difficult to maintain throughout the year and rainy seasons in particular; and

WHEREAS: Two playing fields at Danehy Park will be converted to artificial turf in FY13 in order to improve field usability; increase playing time on these artificial turf fields; and potentially reduce burden on other playing fields throughout the city; and

WHEREAS: Artificial turf infill is made from recycled tires and this infill material may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, benzene, benzothiazole and other toxic derivatives that may present a health risk to residents; and

WHEREAS: In July 2012, environmental groups requested the US Consumer Products Safety Commission study this issue further; and

WHEREAS: The San Francisco and Maryland Chapters of the Sierra Club have called for a ban on toxic substances in play spaces; and

WHEREAS: The Precautionary Principle applies to situations in which an action has a "suspected risk" of causing harm to the public or to the environment. In these situations, the guiding principle is to proceed -- as if there is actual harm as opposed to "waiting until harm is shown to exist"; and

WHEREAS: It is in the best interest of the Cambridge residents to make decisions using the Precautionary Principle; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the conversion of further soccer fields at Danehy Park to artificial turf be delayed until further study of the impact of artificial turf on player's health be completed and shared with the City Council; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Assistant City Manager for Human Services to confer with the Director of Recreation to prepare a report which quantifies the decreased use of the more fragile grass playing fields throughout the city as a result of the installation of artificial turf playing fields.