SYNTHETIC TURF IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

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What is known factually about the condition of synthetic turf fields should shock most parents. The plastic grass at Walter Johnson has failed. This prevents the field from retaining the crumb rubber that cushions the surface and makes it safe for players. A G-MAX test determines the level of hardness for syn turf fields and therefore the concussive risk that the surface poses for users. The G-MAX scores for the WJHS field are well above what the NFL has determined is safe for its players – grown men. Shouldn’t the safety standards for youth, in one of the richest counties in the nation be equivalent? The NFL requires its syn turf fields to measure near 160. WJHS has areas of its ST field that measured at 196. A G-MAX score of 200 can cause severe injury and even death.

The NFL tests its fields for hardness before each game so they know week-to-week how hard they have become and whether they need to add crumb rubber. MCPS only tests its fields TWICE EACH YEAR. They say that when a field tests high, they add crumb rubber, but the documents that were supplied to the Montgomery County Civic Federation pursuant to a Public Information Act Request show no expense for the purchase of this product. Significantly, adding CR to the ST field at WJHS won't help because the grass system has failed.

Recently MCPS tested the ST field at Richard Montgomery High School. In June an area of the field recorded a G-MAX score of 253 – life threatening hardness. In July, rather than perform the G-MAX test as a spot inspection they waited until the grounds crew had completed the deep grooming that softens the playing surface. Despite this effort, the field still had an area that tested at 198.84. When the hardness of an ST field is this high, athletes essentially compete on compacted rock, which lies just under the surface of the ST carpet. The RMHS field consistently reveals that it is dangerous and needs replacing.

The MCPS web site that contains information on ST fields can be found here:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/maintenance/default.aspx?id=496174

It is a collection of industry public relations sound bites used to assuage the concerns of parents.

Recent local news coverage of the issue can be found here:

http://wjla.com/news/local/turf-field-issue

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Tests-at-Montgomery-County-Field-Spark-Concerns-393195221.html

The Civic Federation newsletter contained an article in its September issue that can be found on page 6:

http://www.montgomerycivic.org/files/CFN201609.pdf

For those of you troubled by these revelations, it's only the tip of the iceberg. ST fields are fraught with bad news for users. ALL of the ST fields in Montgomery County (both public and private schools) contain LEAD, unless a particular school paid extra to obtain a LEAD-FREE surface. The PBS News Hour ran a segment on the toxic nature of lead and its effects on children last week. It can be found here:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/need-get-lead-lives/

For those whom want to learn more about this topic, useful information can be found at the Safe Healthy Playing Fields web site at www.safehealthyplayingfields.org; the Parents Coalition web site at http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/; and the MCCF web site at http://www.montgomerycivic.org/

A lot to digest, but it’s time that parents engage on the issue.