PFAS “forever chemicals” are the asbestos of our times.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
All plastic artificial turf fields contain PFAS (forever chemicals), and are bad for the health of our children, our community and our environment.
Plastic artificial turf releases non-biodegradable microplastics, PFAS, and other toxins into the environment, contaminating soil, water, and air, and ultimately being ingested by living organisms. Additionally, as the turf breaks down, it emits greenhouse gases like ethylene, propylene, and methane into the atmosphere.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Both the Maret School at ECC and Lafayette-Pointer Park fields are situated amidst a densely populated family neighborhood and within the Rock Creek watershed.
Maret School and DCPS/DGS are making decisions that impact the health and safety of our community despite the community’s and neighbors’ repeated requests to reconsider natural turf for the fields.
Communities across the nation have bans on artificial grass and other products containing PFAS and moratoriums on installing new artificial plastic fields. Prominent organizations like the NFL and US Women's Soccer are demanding change, and multiple lawsuits have been filed against artificial turf and chemical companies over issues such as quality, injuries, and health risks.
DC’s own attorney general's office filed a lawsuit in July 2023 against more than 25 chemical companies, alleging that they manufactured and sold products that contain dangerous chemicals known as PFAS.
CALL TO ACTION
We are a group of concerned citizens that have come together from various Chevy Chase and DC community groups, aligned in our concern over the decisions to install additional synthetic turf fields in our neighborhoods. Decisions that are being made for us, without our input and not in our community’s best interest. Decisions that not only impact the health of our community and our children but also the health of our environment, our oceans and our planet Earth.
We are calling on our city officials and educational institutions to establish a moratorium on installing new artificial turf fields in the District of Columbia.
JOIN US:
Please Sign Our Petition
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