Thursday, October 1, 2026
The following is an open letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray, the Rockville Centre Board of Trustees, Molloy College President Dr. Drew Bogner and Neal Lewis, executive director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy:
Many residents have serious concerns regarding the prospective development of the fields by Mill River. Most are concerning significant quality of life issues – noise, lights, traffic and parking. These are all-important issues and should be considered prior to the construction of this development.
However, as parents raising our children in an environment where we have seen record levels of allergies, asthma, ADHD and autism, we can only be deeply concerned about the desire to use synthetic turf on these fields. Recent studies have been conducted regarding the negative impacts of synthetic turf. We urge you to read these studies and consider possible cost-effective alternatives. Environment and Human Health, Inc. conducted a study in 2008 and CASE, the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, conducted a separate study in 2010. The results were so shocking that the Connecticut Department of Health urged them to soften the report in order not to alarm parents. The following is a partial list of the hazards:
1. Crumb rubber – 40,000 tires are typically used as the infill for each synthetic field. The numerous chemicals that are found in tires are proven carcinogens. In fact, the chemicals found in tires are so toxic that they cannot be legally disposed of in landfills or through ocean dumping. Yet, ironically this toxic material is being allowed where children can come into direct contact with it.
