Given current discussion regarding installation of a new natural grass or synthetic turf field at Vashon High school, I wanted to lend some scientific perspective to the conversation to clear up any misconceptions (“Natural or synthetic: School board talks high school field turf,” Aug. 3).

I am a board-certified toxicologist at Gradient, an environmental and risk sciences consulting firm, and I also serve as scientific adviser to the Recycled Rubber Council.

As the article notes, recycled rubber made from ground-up tires is the most commonly used material for the infill — the shock absorption layer — within synthetic turf fields. This material has come under the microscope following media reports that paint the inaccurate picture that there are health concerns associated with exposures to chemicals in recycled rubber. Such debate, however, seems to occur more in the arena of media than science.

The issue of whether or not recycled rubber presents potential health hazards has been studied time and again. Contrary to the article’s statement that studies have been “incomplete or inconclusive,” there have been more than 90 peer-reviewed studies, reports and evaluations from academics, state health departments and third parties that have found that there are not safety concerns associated with the use of recycled rubber.

Reports that claim to cite scientific evidence that shows possible issues fail to consider the key factors in chemical toxicity: exposure and dose. While these studies have identified some chemicals in recycled rubber, it is worth noting that the mere presence of a chemical does not mean that there is any danger. Context is critical, as levels of many of the chemicals that have been cited in media reports about this issue are not substantially different from those in urban or rural soil.

Childrens’ safety should always be paramount, but when making decisions about what kind of field should be used at VHS, unsubstantiated fears shouldn’t win the day over science.

—Michael Peterson