“Wednesday 7 p.m. – Park View Rec Center – meeting about lead on D.C. playgrounds and playing fields”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Wilfong

Thanks to all who passed on these emails:

“Many parents and caregivers are unaware that earlier this month, DC’s Department of General Services released preliminary test results that found lead on or in the rubberized surfaces of playgrounds at 55 DCPS schools, most of them elementary schools – including many in Wards 1 and 4. Seventeen of these playgrounds showed particularly elevated levels. Six playgrounds were temporarily closed, but the others remained open. No testing has been released yet for rec centers or charter schools.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 2 at 7pm at the Park View Rec Center in Ward 1 for an educational forum sponsored by the Park View UNC and DC Safe Healthy Playing Fields to learn more. You are also encouraged to sign up to testify at a DC Council hearing on the topic on the morning of October 3rd.

In DC, concern about rubberized playground surfaces and the infill for artificial turf playing fields has been growing for years. In the scientific community, a growing body of research suggests danger from lead and other toxins in the rubber, high surface temperatures, and impact injuries when the surface becomes compacted. There are also significant environmental impacts associated with the materials, runoff, and disposal.

Come learn more and discuss how we can take action.

What: Community Forum on the Safety of Playgrounds and Artificial Turf Fields in DC, sponsored by the Park View UNC and DC Safe Healthy Playing Fields

Panelists: Dr. Diana Zuckerman, National Center for Health Research and former White House Senior Advisor; Neuroscientist Dr. Kathleen Michels; and Diana Conway, President of DC Safe Healthy Playing Fields

When: Wednesday, October 2, 7pm

Where: Park View Recreation Center, 693 Otis Pl. NW (corner of Warder St. NW and Otis Pl. NW; entrance is on Warder St.). Transit friendly, near GA Ave/Petworth Metro.

For more information and to RSVP (welcomed but not required), please click here. We hope to see you there!”

and

“**COMMUNITY FORUM** Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. – Park View Rec Center

Many neighbors are unaware that earlier this month, D.C.’s Department of General Services released preliminary test results that found lead on or in the rubberized surfaces of playgrounds at 55 DCPS schools, most of them elementary schools — including many in Wards 1 and 4.

Seventeen of these playgrounds showed particularly elevated levels. Six playgrounds were temporarily closed, but the others remained open. No testing has been released yet for rec centers or charter schools.

To learn more, please join us on Wednesday, October 2 at 7 p.m. at the Park View Rec Center in Ward 1 for an educational forum sponsored by the Park View United Neighborhood Coalition and D.C. Safe Healthy Playing Fields. You are also encouraged to sign up to testify at a D.C. Council hearing on the topic on the morning of Thurs. 10/3. (You need not be an expert to testify! All interested DC residents are invited to speak.)

In D.C., concern about rubberized playground surfaces and the infill for artificial turf playing fields has been growing for years. In the scientific community, a growing body of research suggests danger from lead and other toxins in the rubber; high surface temperatures; and impact injuries when the surface becomes compacted. There are also significant environmental impacts associated with the materials, runoff, and disposal.

Come learn more and discuss how we can take action.

What: Community Forum on the Safety of Playgrounds and Artificial Turf Fields in D.C., sponsored by the Park View United Neighborhood Coalition and D.C. Safe Healthy Playing Fields

Panelists:

Dr. Diana Zuckerman, National Center for Health Research and former White House Senior Advisor

Dr. Kathleen Michels, Neuroscientist

Diana Conway, President of D.C. Safe Healthy Playing Fields

When: Wednesday, October 2, 7 p.m.

Where: Park View Recreation Center, 693 Otis Pl. NW (corner of Warder St. NW and Otis Pl. NW; entrance is on Warder St.). Transit friendly, near GA Ave/Petworth Metro.”