The Cove Collective Opposes a Crumb Rubber Turf field at Palos Verdes Intermediate School

We, the undersigned parents, students, and community members, strongly oppose the proposed installation of artificial turf at PVIS. We believe placing a large synthetic plastic surface where our children play every day raises serious safety, health, and environmental concerns that do not justify replacing a natural field. We believe the risks and long-term consequences of artificial turf are unnecessary when a well-designed and properly maintained natural-grass field is a viable alternative.

Our Concerns:

Synthetic turf is heavily treated with dangerous chemicals, including lead, heavy metals, benzene, arsenic, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, and PFAS ("forever chemicals"). Many of these substances are proven carcinogens, neurotoxins, and endocrine disruptors. Even modern alternatives marketed as "safer" infills still contain hazardous materials like lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Because PFAS chemicals are known hormone disruptors, exposure is linked to severe health risks, including cancer, immune disorders, and reproductive issues such as infertility and decreased sperm counts.

Synthetic turf has been found to rise to heat levels far above safe levels for use on warm days. One study at BYU found the surface temperature of the synthetic turf to be 37º F higher than asphalt and 86.5º F hotter than natural turf. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) mandates that all practice and game activities are moved indoors when temperatures reach 86 degrees or higher on the The WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) scale (considers temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and solar radiation). With the steady increase in the number of warm days, the turf will not be safe on many days for PE classes and after school sports as compared to natural grass.

Beyond the immediate health risks to our students, artificial turf poses a severe threat to our local environment. Over time, the plastic blades and backing break down into microplastics under 5 mm in size. These particles are easily carried by the wind, leach into our soil, and wash into storm drains and water systems. A study in Barcelona, Spain, highlights the scope of this plastic pollution, finding that artificial grass fibers accounted for 15% of large plastic debris found within a kilometer of the shoreline.

Finally, synthetic turf is an unsustainable investment. A single athletic field requires roughly 40,000 pounds of plastic carpet and 400,000 pounds of infill, yet it only lasts about eight to ten years. Because there is currently no viable way to recycle these materials, millions of pounds of toxic waste are ultimately buried in landfills or burned, releasing further contamination into the environment.

For the safety of our children and the preservation of our local environment, we ask the PVPUSD Board to reject the proposed artificial turf installation at PVIS and invest in a high-quality natural-grass athletic field instead.

Our children deserve a field that is safe, playable, cooler, natural, and sustainable.

To sign the petition to the PVPUSD, please CLICK HERE.

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