The legislature's Children's Committee on Tuesday held a public hearing about a bill which would prohibit crumb rubber ground cover from municipal and public school playgrounds.  New Fairfield and Ridgefield High Schools are among those with synthetic turf fields.  New Milford is considering a synthetic turf project.

Committee member Senator Ted Kennedy Jr. supports the bill.  He says Connecticut should be on the side of caution, at least until more information is known.

A report was issued last year by Yale University researchers which found a dozen known carcinogens in crumb-rubber surfaces.  Senator Richard Blumenthal is calling for a million-dollar line item in the President's proposed budget for an investigation into the safety of artificial turf. 

An Environmental Attorney testified citing studies from different states showing no link between crumb rubber and health risks.

The ground tire synthetic fields were installed at several schools over recent years as a way to save on operating costs and because they were thought to be more durable.