cc: Editor:

Dear Senator Feinstein,

You were very much involved in the defeat of the popularly supported “Proposition H, ” which would have banned artificial turf in Golden Gate Park. You prominently endorsed “Proposition I” and your “Argument in Favor of Proposition I” led the endorsements on our local San Francisco ballot.  As you know, the effect of a “Proposition I” win was to nullify “Proposition H.”  I want to encourage you to take responsibility for your actions.

You can still help to prevent more damage to the environment and save children in the United States from being exposed to toxic artificial turf.  The shredded tires used in the turf have been the subject of many studies world wide.  In almost all cases, the toxicity of the tire crumb was found to exceed allowed exposures for children.  If you want to know more about the battle to get SBR (ground up tire waste) out of our parks and playing fields, go to healthysoccersf.org  to read more.

One of the consequences of your opposition to Prop. H, and your endorsement of Prop. I, is that it will leave San Francisco with a legacy of lawsuits. Mark Buell, appointed president of the SF Rec. and Park Commission by Mayor Gavin Newsom, allowed the transfer of legal liability for the artificial turf from City Fields Foundation to the City and County of San Francisco. How does the transfer of legal liability to the City benefit the people of San Francisco or our state?  We are now on the hook for any damages resulting from the use of these toxic artificial turf fields.

You can help mitigate some of the damage done by Prop. I by sponsoring legislation that bans artificial turf in public places. Please do what you can to prevent artificial turf from being installed in our parks and playgrounds. Do it for the environment.

David Romano, San Francisco CA