Heated discussions arose Monday evening when the Bethlehem Area School Board agreed to vote at the next regular meeting on a $4.5 million project to construct a turf field and six-lane track at Freedom HS, as well as renovating a current BASD track and field.

The plan is to build an AstroTurf field at Freedom and replace the other BASD field with Sprinturf. The AstroTurf would cost more than $2.21 million, while the Sprinturf would be $622,712. With new tracks at both locations, the grand total is $4,570,973.

Resident Peter Crownfield has been researching the health risks of turf fields for quite some time. He spoke to the board Monday evening, insisting that they listen to what he had to say. Crownfield said the studies provided by the board about synthetic turf were outdated and one-sided. “There were no bids for natural grass. You are wasting the taxpayers’ money if you go this route,” he said.

Studies have shown that synthetic turf can cause cancer due to the ingestion of known carcinogens found in the turf. A study done by Yale University showed 96 chemicals were found in 14 samples of playground mulch. Half of these chemicals were not tested on animals or humans, but of those tested, 12 were known carcinogens and 20 were irritants.

“I have a problem as a board member, nurse, mother and taxpayer endorsing something that may not cause an injury now, but could in the future,” said board member Angela Sinkler.

A few board members pointed out idea of using a natural grass field has not been an option. “All I get when I ask is a, ‘No it won’t work,’” said Sinkler.

Chief facilities and operations officer Mark Stein weighed in on this issue. He argued that to properly maintain a grass surface would be doable with around 10 events a year. For example, a football game field. But, with the soccer and field hockey teams, it provides a bigger challenge. Stein also believes the everyday use of the grass fields would not be realistic because the BASD is not staffed for something of that magnitude.

An alternate product with the turf is coating the rubber. The idea is that if there is a release of chemicals in the turf, it seals it. “It reduces the release of certain chemicals but we don’t have evidence saying that these chemicals being released are a problem,” said Dr. Joseph J. Roy, superintendent. This would cost an additional $114,000 to purchase the coating product on top of the $4.5 million total. It is also guaranteed to last 8 years.

Board President Michael Faccinetto was also against the use of coated rubber. “We’re coating a chemical with a chemical, and I’m not sure that makes it any safer,” he said.

The discussion about whether to install grass or turf was prolonged, but board member Craig Neiman got everyone to move on from the topic. They agreed to revisit this issue at the regular board meeting later this month.