State College Area School Board on Monday approved a recommendation for artificial turf to be used on the new athletic field planned for the north side of the State High campus.
The board approved a bid by FieldTurf USA, Inc. of $1,147,433.57 for using EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer) rubber infill to support synthetic turf blades.
‘Because of its stability to UV and good resistance to oxidation EPDM is appropriate for outdoor applications,’ a memo from district director of physical plant Ed Poprik said. ‘EPDM is a thermoset rubber, which means that it has undergone a process called crosslinking, by which its molecules have been irreversibly bound together.’
The district considered using crumb rubber infill, which is made from recycled tires and would have come at a cost of $56,946 less. Some concerns have been raised about possible health risks of using crumb rubber on synthetic fields and playgrounds. The issue was first brought to attention about a decade ago by Amy Griffin, an assistant soccer coach at the University of Washington, who began compiling a list of adolescent soccer players with cancer.
Multiple studies have concluded there is no scientific support for a finding of elevated cancer risk from exposure to crumb rubber artificial turf fields. However, the Environmental Protection Agency is scheduled to release a comprehensive study this fall.
A district spokesman said EPDM was recommended instead out of caution. Whether the district would consider crumb rubber for the south high school field or Memorial Field would depend on the EPA report’s findings, among other factors.
EPDM, meanwhile, is made of virgin raw materials — those that have nor been previously used or processed other than for their original production.
The board also approved a proposal from Musco Sports Lighting to install field lighting for $437,220. Poprik said the district is working with State College Borough to ensure the lighting complies with borough ordinances and does not disrupt surrounding neighborhoods.
Poprik said he expects the field to be ready for use in the spring.
