We are writing as concerned students, staff, and community members of Ithaca and beyond to request that the $3 million artificial turf renovation to Butterfield “Bertino” stadium be immediately halted due to the adverse environmental impacts the artificial turf will have in our local ecosystem.

ARTIFICIAL TURF FIELDS…

1. SHED MICROPLASTICS AND ARE A LARGE CONTRIBUTION TO PLASTIC WASTE.

Plastic turf fields are made of thousands of polyethylene grass blades. If installed, the artificial turf field at Ithaca College will shed an immense amount of microplastics (pieces of plastic <5mm in length, including invisible dust particles that we inhale). Microplastics are studied by Susan Allen and the Toxicology Lab at IC, who estimate the presence of 100 million microplastics already in Cayuga Lake. Researchers from Yale have found that microplastics in marine ecosystems can “disrupt reproductive systems, stunt growth, diminish appetite, and cause tissue inflammation and liver damage” (source).

2. CONTAIN “FOREVER CHEMICALS” WHICH ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP OUT OF WATER SYSTEMS, AND ENDANGER HUMAN & ECOSYSTEM HEALTH.

Artificial turf fields are made from a base of 100 to 120 tons of crumb rubber, which contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). These “forever chemicals” are nicknamed such because they do not break down in the natural environment or human bodies. These microplastics and chemicals will not be filtered out by filtration systems installed with the turf field. These chemicals will leach off of IC’s turf field and into local water systems.

3. EXPOSE ATHLETES TO CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS.

In addition to microplastics and PFAs, artificial turf contains heavy metals (including lead), benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), styrene, carbon black, and flame retardants. Athletes playing on artificial turf fields are disproportionately exposed to these substances — many of which are carcinogens and may cause diabetes or interfere with natural hormone levels.

Six Phillies baseball players recently died of a rare brain cancer called glioblastoma, raising further questions about the connection between artificial turf and cancer. For decades, these athletes competed on artificial turf in Veterans Stadium.

4. CAUSE GREATER PHYSICAL INJURIES FOR ATHLETES.

Athletes also have a significantly higher injury rate when playing on artificial turf fields versus natural turf.

Due to harmful chemicals, environmental impact, and athlete injury rates, states, municipalities, and organizations have banned or are looking to ban artificial turf. The city of Boston banned artificial turf in 2022, and there are proposed bills in Connecticut and Massachusetts looking to do the same.

The president of the National Football League Players Association called for the removal and ban of slit film turf due to player injuries. Aaron Rodgers expressed similar concerns in November, calling for the NFL to ban artificial turf altogether.

5. ARE COUNTER TO ITHACA COLLEGE’S ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES & GOALS

The installation of this artificial turf field is counter to Ithaca College’s environmental goals, especially the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. According to reporting by the Ithacan, the college did not speak to scientists outside of the college or turf industry about the proposed field. The college claims that the decision is actually better for the environment, as it will reduce water and chemical inputs required to maintain natural turf. This is greenwashing.

Reporting done by the Ithacan points out the greenhouse gas inputs involved in the production and installation of turf, as well as the greenhouse gasses that turf emits while breaking down.

At least nine municipalities in Connecticut as of this petition in April 2023, California and Massachusetts, including the city of Boston, have begun limiting the use of synthetic fields via bans or moratoriums.

OUR REQUEST:

We call on the Ithaca College administration to reverse the decision to install artificial turf at Ithaca College, and to choose the future health of our students, community, and ecosystem over this donation.

Abby Aitken, Ithaca College x'23
Adriana Sulca, Ithaca College x'24

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Local Reporting:

The Ithacan - “Planned turf field at IC to contain toxic chemicals” https://theithacan.org/sports/artificial-turf-raises-environmental-concerns/

The Ithacan - “Artificial turf raises concerns about equity and injuries” https://theithacan.org/sports/artificial-turf-raises-concerns-about-equity-and-injuries/

Ithaca Times - “IC Says Thanks, Others No Thanks for New Turf Field”
https://www.ithaca.com/news/ithaca/ic-says-thanks-others-no-thanks-for-new-turf-field/article_3a86fd26-ad51-11ed-a020-03701b397534.html

More Resources:

Safe Healthy Playing Fields
https://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org/

The Guardian - "Artificial turf potentially linked to cancer deaths of six Phillies ball players – report"
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/10/phillies-ball-players-cancer-artifical-turf

NFLPA - "NFL Player Health & Safety Lies Beneath the Surface"
https://nflpa.com/posts/nfl-player-health-safety-lies-beneath-the-surface