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Ridgewood residents urge halt to artificial turf over PFAS concerns; council says village using different fill and will seek PFAS‑friendly options
Summary
Multiple residents testified at the Jan. 8 workshop that artificial turf and its infill expose children to PFAS and other toxins; council members and staff said the village is not using crumb rubber, is working with vendors to find lower‑PFAS products, and will continue meetings with opponents and experts.
Three Ridgewood residents used the council’s public‑comment period Wednesday to press elected officials to rethink plans for artificial turf at village fields, citing PFAS (so‑called forever chemicals), microplastics and heat‑island effects.
Cynthia O’Keefe, a Ridgewood resident who has been a frequent speaker on the topic, told the council "If we're still talking about turf, we're not green," and urged elected officials to explain how recommendations about turf square with the village’s environmental goals. She also said she had read two EPA reports and would continue to press the issue until she received answers.
Jillian Krugman, a Ridgewood High School alum and environmental‑studies student, told the council that many artificial…
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