MANALAPAN – Concerns about whether a synthetic turf field that is being installed at the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522, may present a potential health hazard to the people who will play on it have been batted back and forth in recent weeks.
Manalapan Soccer Club representative Larry Sherman added his voice to the debate when he addressed the Township Committee on that matter at the governing body’s Oct. 10 meeting.
Sherman, who is a coach with and publicity chairman for the soccer club, explained why he is in favor of the synthetic turf installation, but does not worry about potential health concerns.
The issue relating to the health of people who play on synthetic turf had initially been raised by Committeeman Anthony Gennaro.
Citing studies he had read, Gennaro explained that rubber pellets (ground-up tires), which are used to fill the turf field between the blades of synthetic grass, could, given high-enough temperatures, melt and release toxic fumes. Those fumes could potentially be inhaled by players who are in close contact with the field surface, he said.
Gennaro had also expressed concern about a possible increase in physical injuries occurring on turf, compared to a grass field.
Gennaro was not present at the Oct. 10 meeting when Sherman discussed the issue.
Sherman said he, too, had done some Internet research into the subject of synthetic turf and concluded there is nothing to be worried about with regard to players’ health as a result of using the field.
“I’m here to comment about the controversy that is going on over the talk about potential harmful effects over the use of artificial turf fields,” he said.
Sherman said he read numerous articles about concerns over increased injuries resulting from the use of turf fields and concluded that the turf fields have “more give” and actually helped lessen sports injuries.
Regarding the heat that can be generated on a synthetic turf field, Sherman said he knows from personal experience that rubber pellet playgrounds are used in south Florida. He said his children have played on those surfaces and he found that the heat did not present any problem with fumes.
“I don’t think anyone here will argue that the average weather in south Florida is hotter than central New Jersey,” he said.
Sherman also commented on a rumor that had circulated around town in recent months regarding possible historic farm pesticide contamination on other fields at the recreation center.
The township engineer later said he tested the fields in question and found no problem relating to contamination.
“We all saw people in this town get up in arms over rumors and speculation regarding potential contamination on the Pop Warner football field at the recreation center despite the assurances of the Township Committee, the health officer and the township engineer. I just hope that the Township Committee doesn’t get distracted over this new wild goose chase” regarding the alleged health issues with synthetic turf fields, Sherman said.
He said he worked for a large commercial mortgage lender and had a chance to meet with several environmental engineers. He said he spoke with those individuals about the potential concerns relating to the installation of synthetic turf fields.
Sherman said both professionals “expressed surprise” when he brought up the concern over potential contaminants emanating from the fields. He said he learned that more than 150 New Jersey sports fields currently in use throughout the state are constructed of artificial turf.
He said municipalities and/or schools that have an artificial turf field include Butler, Lawrenceville, Summit, Livingston, Phillipsburg, Mountain Lakes, East Brunswick, Bernardsville, Washington Township, Denville, Woodbury, Weehawken, Scotch Plains and St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel.
Summing up, Sherman said, “I am a member of the board of the Manalapan Soccer Club. I am also a coach in the program and a parent of a player, as are almost all of the other board members. We only support the development of the [synthetic turf] field to help with the shortage of fields that we currently have, and look forward to having our own kids play on the field. I can’t think of a stronger comfort level than to say that we are proverbially putting our money where our mouths are by having our own kids play on this field.”

