Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, "For two years, I called on the Park Department to test the artificial turf fields it has installed around the city to make sure they are safe. For two years, they insisted there was no cause for concern and no need to test. Then, suddenly late yesterday the Parks Department announces that it is
closing Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem because upon testing, it
found high levels of lead in the park’s artificial turf.
While I am glad to see the city listened to us and began testing turf fields, we don’t know how many people have been exposed to this lead hazard at Thomas Jefferson Park. What we do know is that the city can no longer ignore our concerns. I expect a full and public disclosure of the results of the testing currently underway, and I renew my call for an immediate moratorium on the installation of new synthetic turf until New Yorkers can be assured that it is safe."
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