Former British National Health Service chief fears son developed cancer from artificial turf
(Click on photo for link.)
British National Health Service CEO Nigel Maguire says his 18 year old son Lewis developed lymphoma from playing as a goalie on tire crumb fields. Nigel Maguire has called for a moratorium on building new tire crumb fields, stating: "This multibillion-dollar industry is conducting an industrial-scale experiment on our kids - it's a scandal....Cigarette, asbestos and thalidomide manufacturers said there was no evidence of harm too and look how that turned out,'
New Study at State level
SB47 (artificial turf health study) fails in the Senate Appropriations Committee, but OEHHA (Office of Health Hazard Assessment) begins planning artificial turf study under the auspices of the government group promoting the use of used tires in soccer fields (CalRecycles).
This legislation asked for the State of California to conduct a scientific study on the health impacts of the SBR tire waste infill used in artificial turf and a moratorium on new construction using tire waste infill until the study has been completed (unless certain conditions were met.) Sadly, the legislation was not even brought up for a vote in the State Senate Appropriations Committee. We are waiting for more information on why this legislation to protect the health of players was killed; we will post what we can learn on our website.
Senator Hill may do another bill in the future. Meanwhile, he thanks everyone for writing letters and making those phone calls.
If you have any further information on the health impacts of SBR infill or other problems with artificial turf, please send that information to Nate Solov in Senator Hill's office: Nate.Solov@sen.ca.gov
What "new" fields look like a decade after installation: La Jolla High School playing field. Installed in 2000. Photographed in 2012. (Source: La Jolla Light)
Beach Chalet Playing Fields open with opposition, concern:
http://abc7news.com/sports/new-artificial-turf-soccer-fields-to-open-in-golden-gate-park/1107578/
(re-paste in link to see ABC's video or click on photo below)
Introducing a survey for enthusiastic soccer players.
How much do you play?
Experts say it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery.
The Healthy Soccer San Francisco coalition is seeking soccer families for an informal survey of health and playing habits on artificial turf fields.
Playing soccer has long contributed to building healthy bodies, strong communities and lifelong memories. But recent reports of rare cancers appearing in clusters of young, competitive goalkeepers training on synthetic turf fields are of concern to many parents and coaches. We are seeking to find out more about playing habits and health awareness of soccer families using the new surfaces.
Participate in the survey.
To participate in the survey, please email us at: soccerplayerhealthstudy@gmail.com.
Learn more about why we are concerned!
Take the Short Quiz about turf studies. Then . . .
See the "Learn more..." page for more information on why we are concerned.