(The following was submitted by the Manhasset Athletic Advisory Committee.)

At its most recent meeting, the MAAC reviewed and discussed the pros and cons of installing synthetic field turf instead of real grass on Manhasset athletic fields. The use of synthetic turf has been a controversial topic across the country as schools, local and state governments and private residents consider the short and long-term benefits and potential challenges of an artificial field surface.

Supporters of synthetic turf technology note it is durable, cost-efficient, convenient, environmentally sensitive and safer than real grass. A synthetic field can absorb multi-team, multi-season use without needing constant and costly maintenance--it's never out of use. It drains and dries quickly so it can be used immediately even after a torrential downpour thus eliminating re-scheduling during hectic seasons. Synthetic turf eliminates uneven surfaces, bare patches and bumps that are often responsible for season-ending ankle and knee injuries to young athletes. And, since it's an artificial surface, the turf is easy on the water supply eliminating the need for fertilizers and daily watering. It also eliminates the concern over goose excrement. Finally, the millions of tires that are used to help construct the fields don't end up in landfills and, instead, are recycled.

Critics, however, say synthetic turf is unsafe. Recently, New Jersey health officials discovered increased levels of lead in some turf fields and closed them. Many worry that young athletes will inhale chemicals and traces of metals in the shredded tires used in the turf padding. An industry trade association that represents turf manufacturers, The Synthetic Turf Council, admits that there are minimal amounts of lead chromate in the turf but says it does not pose a health risk and has been used without incident for decades. Recently, NY City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene oversaw a study done by TRC Companies, an engineering and consulting company that concluded that "there was no scientific evidence that synthetic turf fields in NY pose health hazards for people playing on them."

Manhasset High School installed "field turf" in 2000. Since then, the "turf," as its called by parents and athletes alike, has seen rigorous, multi-season use accommodating varsity, junior varsity, middle school and youth teams...and on several occasions, college teams that have taken part in the Lacrosse Day of Champions. It has saved wear and tear on the other fields, been a reliable field resource when other fields were unusable due to weather, near maintenance free saving the school hundreds of thousands of dollars and safe. The MAAC (maac-blog.blogspot.com) believes that assuming studies continue to assure the safety of turf type fields, Manhasset can benefit from turfing additional general purpose Manhasset High School athletic fields so that its benefits may be shared by all of Manhasset's athletes-from Varsity Sports to 3rd Grade Soccer--on a regular basis.

(If you'd like to comment on the field turf issue or learn more about the MAAC, go to maac-blog.blogspot.com)

Members of the MAAC are: Rob English; Kathleen Gallo; Bill Mataritonna; Carl Pate; Harold Henrickson; Pat Aiken; John Kenlon; Keith Connors; Lori Fleishacker; Marie Horowitz; Mary Villani; Elena Schietinger; Richard Nass; Michael Meyer; Dedrick Johnson; Charles Bindert; Carolyn Pagnano, Matt McGrane and Mike Pecorino;