**PRESS RELEASE**
BLUMENFIELD SHEPHERDS NEW ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION TO ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND REDUCE RISKS FROM ARTIFICIAL TURF
LOS ANGELES, CA –Last Friday, the Los Angeles City Council approved Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s motion that instructs the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to test for the presence of Polyfluoroalkyl / Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and other similar contaminants identified by EPA and provide information on testing and actions to ensure safe potable drinking water for the City. Made from petroleum products, artificial turf/synthetic grass has been found to cause environmental issues as it degrades, and it can burn in a wildfire.
Blumenfield further introduced a motion to transition away from artificial turf/synthetic grass and encourage the transition to California drought-friendly landscaping while exploring a ban on future non-functional / decorative turf. In recent years, many people installed artificial turf / synthetic grass for purposes of water conservation with good intentions and an environmental mindset. However, numerous peer-reviewed studies have concluded that artificial turf / synthetic grass has negative environmental impacts.
Artificial turf is now known to contain harmful substances such PFAS, and other “forever chemicals”. In April 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the Environmental Protection Agency, categorized PFAS and other “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances dangerous to human health. The EPA has concluded that exposure to PFAS may lead to reproductive effects, developmental delays, and risks of some cancers. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and mucous membrane exposure, including microplastic dust kicked up on artificial turf fields.
“We continue to learn about the effects of harmful substances such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other fine contaminants. There is no denying that these substances are dangerous to our health,” said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield. “There is no safe level of these ‘forever chemicals’ in our drinking water, and the threat of contamination should be met with aggressive but realistic action, like the synthetic turf/artificial grass motion introduced today.”
“Sierra Club stands in strong support of this motion from City Councilmember Blumenfield. This is a crucial step for preventing widespread contamination and protecting public health,” said Charming Evelyn, Chair of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Water Committee. “Long term, we hope all jurisdictions follow the City’s lead and implement robust testing and reporting to ensure a clean, PFAS-free LA, while supporting the use of compostable, healthy natural materials in urban, suburban and landscaped areas, and oppose the use of petroleum based products, such as, poured-in-place, or other plastics in ground covers, weed barriers, sporting surfaces, and in areas that constitute landscapes. Microplastics and PFAS should have no place in our waterways.”
Blumenfield’s motion instructs City departments to provide recommendations for limitations, or bans on the future installation of synthetic grass / artificial turf, or any “non-functional” or decorative lawns on private property citywide, to reduce health and environmental risks from PFAS and other contaminants.
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