When I came to the City Council meeting last week, I had a very nice conversation with Helen Collins, who assured me that the specific brand of artificial grass that’s being planned for Hart park is completely safe and is free of PFAs. However, the very first point of the fact sheet on artificial turf published by The Climate Reality Project is “All artificial turf contains hazardous (PFAS) chemicals.”
So, one of two conditions must exist. The Climate Reality Project, as well as dozens of other fact sheets, white papers, editorials, articles, and governments who are banning this stuff, may all be wrong. They may not know about this wonderful stuff you’re planning on using. On the other hand, you may have been sold a bill of goods by an unscrupulous, dishonest manufacturer of dangerous artificial turf.
We truly do not believe that the City of West Hollywood wants to give us cancer or do any of the many terrible things that this stuff is known to do. So, let’s get to the bottom of this. I requested that Helen supply me with the brand name of the stuff you’re planning on installing, as well as the name of the manufacturer. I will then run that by some of these environmental and scientific groups to get their feedback on it, specifically. And that way, we’ll know for sure. She has not responded to my request, but I can’t think of any reason why this information shouldn’t be public.
Thanks in advance for honoring this request.
Sincerely,
Bob Claster
Complains about artificial grass. Steps outside dog park to smoke a cigarette.
Who?
What’s wrong with real grass ???
exactly! Faux grass is so cheap and disgusting.
The initial community outreach was held 2/1/20 just before the Covid Pandemic hit with many other dates scheduled (see link) but they were either cancelled or not well attended as we all had bigger things to worry about at the time like, staying alive. Bob is NOT alone in this fight. Thankfully he has the time to fight for the MANY people who are against the turf. The owners of the PUBLIC Hotel (formerly the Standard), Ian Schrager and fellow hotelier Ed Scheetz, will not be pleased to learn of the urine stench penetrating their hotel rooms, which is a… Read more »
City-provided pics of the 2/1/20 community outreach:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/weho/sets/72157712963184071/
Do you have any reliable contact info for Schrager and/or Scheetz? They could be useful in this effort. Thanks.
The users of the dog park(s) Do Not Want Artificial Turf! The City Council & Public Facilities Commission know this & they Don’t Care.
Helen kindly let me know that the product in question is called K9 Grass and is made by a company called Foreverlawn. I’m currently investigating to find out if there is any independent testing of this product. Stay tuned.
Plastic science has been advancing very rapidly of late, driven by the massive rise in 3D printing and huge demand for compostable polymers. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a leap forward in the field. It is 100% compostable and will rapidly decompose in the body. Not all compost facilities support it (as they often treat all plastic the same), but some legislative pressure should take care of this problem quickly. Now the difficulty with PLA is that it vitrifies at 55c. This means great & consistent pressure will cause it to warp, but there are other bioplastics (like those used in… Read more »
Option 1: Natural wood chips
Option 2: Manufactured plastic containing chemicals with unknown effects on humans and canines
Is this really a choice? From a “progressive” city council? Does not pass the smell test.
Bob, Helen Collins may not be able to release this information to you without direction from her supervisor, which may not be forthcoming. But any of the City Council members should be able to ask staff to provide the public with this information. We are a small City and getting this information should not take an act of God.