Darin C was a jerk last nite but got what he wanted. Maybe soccer should yell and scream and they can get antoher field to play on.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 8, 2008 7:50 PM
I give this issue another 10 days or so and the same folks that were insisting to play elsewhere will be asking to go back onto Dawson.
The shame of it all is this Township tried to keep all info public and paid a price.
For me if this situation arouse again I would hope we would follow the same procedure we did this time rather than take the easy route, which was not to disclose as the tests were being completed.
I loved the picture from USA today of the workers ripping up the turf field with a lead content eight times our level that WAS in the blades with no masks on!
Art, You along with all the Township Committee Members and the Township Administration did the right thing, bravo. I doubt it will take 10 days for the 180 degree change of direction. Lacrosse and football, have a great season too!!
George Drexl
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 9, 2008 3:54 PM
Whatever stance you take on this, we all must agree on one thing. Our township leaders must be commended for the way they handled this situation.To test without being required and to keep all residence informed is an approch that should be emulated by every town that has a turf field.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 10, 2008 8:39 AM
The Learning Disabilities Assn. of America has been studying, for several years, the effects of lead, mercury and air pollution on our children. The Healthy Children's Project ( part of LDAA) has issued a warning that "..THERE IS NO SAFE LEVEL OF LEAD EXPOSURE FOR CHILDREN".
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently sets the INTERVENTION LEVEL for lead in a child's body at 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. However, recent studies show that a child's ability to learn is impaired at much lower blood lead levels, and a new study links low levels of lead exposure during the toddler years to lags in educational achievement once chldren are in elementary school.
The Duke University report shows a correlation between blood lead levels as low as TWO micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
Lead's effects on children, even at very low levels, include learning diabilities and behavior problems such as increased hyperactivity and aggression.
I am taking a chance posting on this venue, as I have been attacked before for my opinion, but these are facts, and since I have devoted more than half my life to the education and well-being of children, I implore parents and our administrators to take a closer look at all lead sources. Parents: please have your children screened for elevated blood levels, and please, please, please keep children under the age of seven away from ANY suspected sources of lead contamination.
Theresa C. Cavanaugh, LDT-C President, Learning Disabilities Assn. of New Jersey
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 13, 2008 11:32 AM
The fact remains that the more WORN a blade of turf becomes, the more LEAD is released. After an undetermined amountof "rough play", the turf naturally wears down, allowing for more and more lead to be released. Is a toxic amount released? I don't know. Scientific tests can be designed to artificially wear down the turf, trying to simulate real "play", and lead tests can be run on the turf at various stages of wear-down. A test like this would be very telling, and would either squash the concern, or prove its legitimacy.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
June 29, 2008 2:26 AM
To Anon. 6/29, Apparently you did not attend the TC mtg. about this, your facts are incorrect regarding Camp Dawson. The fields have been declared safe by the State and Township. The negligible amounts of lead found in the turf is not in the blades, it was found in the matrix fibers that attach the blades to the mat backing. These fibers are encapsulated and are approx. 2 inches below the surface of the turf and covered by the black rubber "Dawson dots". This part of the turf system receives little wear and tear due to usage and weather, however the Township has agreed to do periotic testing to make sure the fields remain safe as they are now. As far as comprehensive testing of artificial turf in general, I'm certain the State of NJ (as well as other States) have been working hard on finding the facts and coming up with standards for this product that don't currently exist.
