For several years, GFCA has successfully opposed the use of tire crumb rubber as a construction material for playing fields in Great Falls due to continued unresolved safety concerns about the material.  This year, GFCA called for a Fairfax County-wide moratorium on the use of tire crumb rubber due to its potential risk to public safety. 

Other communities are taking this action.  Montgomery County has banned tire crumb since 2015, and only allows plant-based materials in its artificial fields.16 DC schools recently failed safety tests, and the DC government has imposed a moratorium on the use of tire crumb rubber for playing fields and is exploring alternatives. 

For news coverage on this development, please go to:

• NPR:  http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2017-09-21/does-fake-grass-get-a-pass-d-c-parents-raise-concern-over-artificial-turf-fields
  
• WJLA-TV:  http://wjla.com/news/local/officials-call-for-moratorium-of-crumb-rubber-fields-in-dc
• DCist:  http://dcist.com/2017/09/turf_30.php