LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council Member Sherri Myers
SUBJECT:
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REFERRAL TO ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD (EAB)
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council refer to the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) a request for the Board to examine the chemicals used on athletic fields and parks in the City of Pensacola and report the findings to City Council with recommendations on how to improve the safety of playing fields and parks.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
Parents have expressed concern over the chemicals used by the City of Pensacola to maintain athletic fields and parks. There is a movement throughout the United States to address concerns by parents regarding the exposure of their children to toxic chemicals typically used on soccer fields and other athletic fields. The City of Pensacola has a responsibility to ensure that children have a healthy and safe environment to play and learn.
The leading environmental pediatric physician in the United States, Dr. Phil Landrigan has written extensively regarding the impact of even low levels of certain chemicals on the developing brains and immune systems of young children. Many of the chemicals, including herbicides, pesticides and fungicides used on sports fields contain chemicals that cause cancer, suspected of causing cancer and are neurotoxins. The National Academy of Pediatrics has published the 721 page book “Pediatric Environmental Health” for physicians to assist them in understanding how chemicals impact children and makes recommendations on how to limit the exposure of children to toxic chemicals, some of which could be implemented by local governments. Informative documents from the academy are attached.
Many states and cities have adopted environmental policies to ensure that children are playing on safe athletic fields. As part of the assignment to the EAB it is recommended that the board look at the best practices from other governmental entities and make appropriate recommendations to the City Council to adopt by ordinance guidelines to ensure the best environmental outcomes for our most vulnerable population - our children.
PRIOR ACTION:
None
FUNDING:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
1) National Academy Pediatrics - Attachment 1
2) National Academy Pediatrics - Attachment 2
3) Chemical Management Policy
PRESENTATION: No