A bill that would place a temporary ban on the installation of athletic turf and playground surfacing containing recycled scrap tires has died in committee.
Senate Bill 47, sponsored by California Sen. Jerry Hill (D-13th District), would have prohibited the installation of rubber turf or grants funding its installation while the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment conducted a study to determine the possible adverse health effects of the material.
SB 47 was held in the California Senate Committee on Appropriations after a May 28 hearing, according the California Senate website. This means that, under the rules of the California Senate, the bill can no longer be considered, according to FieldTurf, a Montreal-based artificial turf manufacturer.
“With over 50 studies and reports showing crumb rubber does not increase health risks, FieldTurf is pleased that common sense and science prevailed in this discussion,” the company said in a statement. “We will continue to support any additional effort to demonstrate the safety of crumb rubber products.”
SB 47 was endorsed by Hollywood stars including actors Laura Dern, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen and Courteney Cox and singer Sheryl Crow. Those performers sent a letter to Sen. Hill March 17, expressing strong support for the bill and concern over potential carcinogens found in scrap tires.