Artificial Turf Plans In Ocean City Postponed Following Report Linking Turf To Cancer

Plans to install artificial turf at Carey Stadium have been put on hold following a recent NBC News report that raised the possibility of a connection between the crumb rubber from recycled tires used in the turf and the diagnosis of cancer in 38 college soccer players, specifically goalies.

“In light of recent news media accounts regarding possible health risks associated with certain types of artificial turf on athletic fields, I have directed my staff to discontinue the planned project to install this material at Carey Stadium,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon to announce the postponement of the project. “While I am aware that there are no studies demonstrating a health risk associated with such turf, I have come to believe that further study is necessary.”

Gillian said he is not ruling out the installation of artificial turf in the future, pending the outcome of further studies.

“In the meantime the City will undertake the necessary repairs to the track and take any actions necessary to maintain the natural turf at Carey Field in a safe condition,” Gillian concluded.

The field is used by the high school’s athletic teams as well as the Ocean City Nor’easters semi-professional soccer team.

Ocean City Council set aside money for an artificial turf field at Carey Stadium, at its meeting on Sept. 25.

Residents spoke out against the turf at that meeting, citing “turf toe” as one possible safety hazard.

Councilman Keith Hartzell and Jim Mallon, Aid to the Mayor, each gathered information concerning turf toe, as well as MRCA, staph infections and overall injuries.

They each came to the conclusion that each of these issues posed no risk to players. They conducted their research prior to the NBC News report. Neither explored a possible connection between turf and cancer.

“It’s still very fresh,” Hartzell said. ” ... The report was mainly in Washington, so is it partial to that area or is this something that could happen nationwide. There’s no scientific evidence, but 38 people have cancer. Right now, it’s just a question mark.”

Hartzell was in touch with five universities to explore the issue, including Penn State, Rutgers, Idaho and Montana State.

Mallon said the postponement of the project was an indefinite postponement.

“We’re not going to do a study in the next four to eight weeks,” Mallon said. ”Congress is also involved now and it looks like they’re going to do more comprehensive studies. We can use that as guidance.”

New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) called for an official study of the potential health risks associated with the crumb rubber and the turf.

The ordinance passed on Sept. 25 appropriated $1,435,000 and allowed council to borrow $1,363,250 for various improvements.

The ordinance also set aside money for the purchase of two new fire trucks and construction, rehabilitation and repair of multiple buildings, including the installation of a generator at the 46th Street firehouse.

Mallon said those projects would go on as scheduled, and that the drainage and track portion of the stadium project would move forward. Any money set aside for the turf could be used for these items, and the leftover can be returned to the City through a resolution at a later date.