Build Homewood a natural grass field
Curtis Martin’s homecoming gift to the Homewood community is an exciting opportunity to give kids and their families a safe place to play and get fit. It would give the Homewood community another asset to be proud of. For these reasons, I applaud Mr. Martin’s generosity.
However, Mr. Martin is planning to use artificial turf for this multi-use field. Artificial turf uses synthetic materials — from shredded used tires, to new plastics. These synthetic materials contain a multitude of chemicals and metals, including lead and mercury. With use, parts of the field can break down into dust; easily kicked up into the air, inhaled, irritating skin, eyes, and lungs.
Additionally, synthetic turf fields get dangerously hot. The University of Arkansas did a study that measured temperatures of 173 F to 199 F on synthetic field when the outside air measured 98 F. In West Virginia, school band members collapsed due to heat stroke from playing on an artificial field. Samples taken from local synthetic fields recorded temperatures of 137.9 F when the outdoor air temperature was 85.2 F, and a natural grass field nearby measured 91 F.
While I support the creation of a multi-use sports field, I strongly advocate for the use of a natural grass field. Let’s do whatever we can to minimize the environmental and health impacts of a synthetic turf field, while playing up the overwhelmingly positive aspects of adding green space and promoting physical activity to the Homewood community. The benefits to the community’s health will far outweigh its costs. KARA RUBIO Lawrenceville Program Coordinator at Healthy Schools PA that, in the U.S., 18 people have died from unprovoked shark attacks since 2000, an average of one per year. Contrast that with upcoming EPA rollbacks on fossil fuel regulation, which, by the agency’s own estimates, will result in 1,400 more premature deaths and 15,000 more cases of upper respiratory problems each year. For this equation of human life, I’ll let you do the math. MATTHEW LIMBACH
Mt. Lebanon
A lot has been written about single payer medical plans. Many times in the discussion, the comparison between the system in the U.S. and England is mentioned, implying that state systems are much cheaper and more efficient than private health insurance. If this is true, they why are there more than 10 different private health insurance plans available in the U.K.?
Canada is often mentioned as well as an example of an excellent government system. If you fly into Toronto, on your way downtown, you will pass by a huge office building with the Blue Cross logo and name on the side of the building. Canada, like most of the European countries that offer government health systems, also offers private health insurance.
We seem to have a number of people who automatically think anything owned and operated by the government is good and anything private is bad. The city of Pittsburgh is typical of this type of thinking. If given the opportunity, most people will look for something that consistently works, not just what is politically correct. JIM CANNON
Mt. Lebanon
The article in the Sept. 14 LocalXtra section, “Destination Verona,” highlighted Verona’s hip image, yet skimmed over one great aspect of my old hometown by just briefly commenting that Verona is “13 miles northeast of Downtown.” This translates to just a 25minute ride to Shadyside or East Liberty or a 40-minute commute to Downtown. Don’t want to drive? There is regular bus service to Downtown and the surrounding areas during work hours. With affordable real estate, access to good schools, and Verona’s famous friendly hometown atmosphere where everyone still has backyards and sidewalks, I asked myself, why hasn’t Verona been discovered before?
I think Verona is the best kept secret in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh! Smart people with foresight will soon recognize what the little town on the Allegheny River has to offer. BERNADINE WAGNER
LAIRO Frankfurt, Germany