Liverpool will be getting new 3G artificial grass football pitches "despite fears raised they could pose a health risk," according to Liam Murphy of the LIVERPOOL ECHO. Members of Liverpool council’s planning committee "dismissed worries raised by objectors to revamped sports facilities at Simpson Ground in Allerton and at Jericho Lane near Otterspool promenade." The football "hubs," which will feature 3G artificial grass and better changing rooms, are to be funded by Liverpool city council, the FA, Sport England and the Premier League as part of a £17M ($18.7M) investment in the grassroots game. The objections "came after similar claims earlier this year" when the widow of former Liverpool and Everton player Gary Ablett called for new research into the "potential dangers of artificial 3G pitches." It has been claimed the ground-up tires used to make the crumb rubber infill "may contain toxic chemicals including mercury, lead, benzene and arsenic, though synthetic pitch producers have said they believe there is no 'significant' risk." The councillors were also provided with a report produced by the council’s public health department earlier this year which concluded that although there is further research to be carried out, current information "does not show an elevated health risk" (LIVERPOOL ECHO, 10/11).
