WINTER PARK, Fla. — Winter Park plans to spend thousands of dollars to renovate an athletic field and may use controversial crumb rubber to get the job done.
Channel 9 has reported about the artificial turf for months, after concerns were raised that exposure to crumb rubber could cause cancer.
Jordan Pouncey had been playing football at Showalter Field in Winter Park since he was 6 years old.
“Ever since I’ve started, it has been the same. Same grass, same locker room, same stadium,” said Pouncey.
He now plays for Winter Park High School on the field.
The city announced a much-needed renovation is on the way, including artificial turf.
“That’ll be really good for the high school if we have nice facilities,” said Pouncey.
In an email, the city said it is considering using crumb rubber, which would be covered with a product called CoolPlay turf, which consists of broken-up corks mixed with plastic, to keep the field from getting too hot.
It’ll also keep athletes like Pouncey from being directly exposed to crumb rubber.
In February, 9 Investigates found out that three federal agencies opened an investigation into whether crumb rubber makes players sick.
So far, no studies have proven it poses a health risk in that form.
Even though renovations are scheduled to begin later this month, the city had not yet signed a contract to install the artificial field.
Cox Media Group
