Whichever surface is chosen, it should be organic

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 10, 2016

I read with great interest the article and editorial about the Vashon High School’s new playing field debating synthetic or grass. I found it interesting that the synthetic chemical nature of the artificial turf was mentioned, but not the chemicals which would be applied to grass, if that were the chosen surface.

The typical playing field is treated with a mixture of chemicals designed to kill fungus, weeds, and insects. A conventional maintenance plan might well include the use of a fungicide on a regular basis to prevent fungal pathogens, a post-emergent herbicide (such as 2, 4-D) to kill crabgrass and dandelions, and an insecticide to kill insects such as grubs.

The residues of these chemicals would remain on the fields that children play on, and they might be washed into our streams and creeks. Some may make it into our groundwater – the sole aquifer which every one of us shares.

I do not know the details of the maintenance plan being proposed for our High School’s turfgrass, but I do hope it is an organic plan, using no toxic synthetic herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my opinion. I will attend at least one of the upcoming public meetings on the subject.

— Diane Emerson