From Staff Reports

Amid concerns that its turf material could cause cancer, work will start this spring on replacing the artificial turf at a projected cost of $2.3 million at the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex in East Asheville.

Health concerns had been raised by activists about the artificial turf at the complex — prompting a federal investigation into the turf material. It is one of the region’s most popular sports facilities — used annually by about 5,000 children and nearly 2,000 adults.

The turf replacement would put new surfaces on the complex’s four fields. Completion is projected in November.

In addition, a $600,000 turf replacement project could possibly start this year on the city’s multi-use Memorial Field southeast of downtown.

Regarding the turf material issue, City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted 3-0 on March 29 to recommend using “crumb rubber” — tire-based rubber pellets — to replace the four aging fields at the soccer complex. The complex opened in 2005 with artificial grass on top of the black rubber pellets.

Despite fears that crumb rubber might cause cancer, the city panel’s is recommending replacing the current crumb rubber used at the fields with the same material.

A final decision on the recommendation to use crumb rubber — or another material — will be made by City Council sometime within 30 days. Sources said that council’s decision will not affect the estimated $600,000 turf replacement for the city’s Memorial Field near downtown and that a different material might be used there.

Meanwhile, area high schools are on the lookout for any new information on the toxic turf issue, as replacement of their own fields is impending.

Crumb rubber, made mostly from recycled tires, is a common infill in sports fields across the country, including Asheville City and Buncombe County schools.

The turf is being replaced only because it is approaching its life expectancy and is “showing wear and tear and it is breaking down,” Debbie Ivester, Asheville Parks and Recreation Department spokeswoman, told local news media in early March. 

However, “the replacement is happening at the same time activists are pointing to a possible link between the rubber pellets and cancer,” according to a report in the March 8 edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times.

While the link has not been proven, it has drawn the attention of three federal agencies — the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The three agencies announced Feb. 12 that they would expedite an action plan to answer questions about the turf and any possible risks to young athletes.

Meanwhile, the mother of an 11-year-old player and a soccer referee have been trying to organize an effort against use of the pellets.

The mother, Francine Cavanaugh, said she was “shocked” when she learned the infill was made of ground up tires, citing one 2015 study by Yale University, which showed that it contained nearly 100 chemicals, including 12 known carcinogens.

“The turf is replaced every 10 years and this is an opportunity for us to be on top of where science seems to be going,” according to Cavanaugh, whose 11-year-old son, Winter, plays with his team on the fields.

She and referee David Ledford have organized the group “No More Toxic Turf,” creating a Facebook page and working to bring in other parents and players.