Rubberized Synthetic Turf Field Approved in Hamden

A new synthetic turf field, which has ground up rubber as a base, has been approved for Hamden High School, despite opposition by some residents based on health concerns.

The field will be the second one the town has approved at the school, though some parents question the safety because the crumb-rubber material has reportedly been linked to causing cancer, though no specific medical studies were presented.

“This is a very difficult decision we face,” said Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jennifer Cutrali, as reported by the New Haven Register. “It’s true there’s no specific study link to cancer or health issues.”

“We took some of the crumb-rubber, we brought it to the Connecticut Agricultural Station, had it tested, came back with enough toxins,” said Nancy Alderman, the president of Environment and Human Health Inc., according to WTNH-TV. “We asked for a moratorium, we said you can’t keep putting these fields in until we know more.”

Tuesday night’s approval followed multiple public hearings and discussions, and some officials and students support the plan to renovate the field.

Click here to read the story on the New Haven Register website.

Click here to read the story on the WTNH-TV website.

Patch file photo.