HF 4056

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; limiting the use of synthetic turf on certain athletic fields;
requiring the commissioner of health to study the impacts of the use of crumb
rubber; requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [145.945] HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF SYNTHETIC TURF.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (a) "Crumb rubber" means ground rubber derived from waste tires, which contain one
or more of the following: acetone, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, vanadium, or zinc.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Synthetic turf" means any materials or compositions that include crumb rubber
used in the place of grass to surface parks, outdoor athletic playing fields, indoor athletic
facilities, or other venues.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Use of synthetic turf. new text end

new text begin No person may install synthetic turf on an athletic
playing field within the boundaries of a public or private school or a public park, until
the Department of Health, in consultation with the state Pollution Control Agency, has
prepared a site specific impact report on the health and environmental effects of the use or
installation of synthetic turf on that athletic playing field.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Health study. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health must study the health impacts
related to the use of crumb rubber within synthetic turf, and review all available data
relating to the potential health risks and health effects of synthetic turf, with particular
attention to the crumb rubber content of the synthetic turf. In conducting this study, the
commissioner must examine the health and environmental impact of various pathways of
exposure including, but not limited to, small fill particle inhalation, volatility, leaching into
groundwater, dermal absorption, and the persistence in the environment of the original and
degraded byproducts of crumb rubber. The commissioner of health must report the finding
of this study to the legislature by June 30, 2009, according to section 3.195.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of health in fiscal
year 2009 to prepare impact reports and study the use of crumb rubber within synthetic turf.
new text end