Pavco seeks new artificial turf for B.C. Place Stadium as concerns rise about cancer in young athletes

In this week's Georgia Straight, health writer Gail Johnson explored a growing controversy about the potential effects of artificial turf.

The associate head coach of the University of Washignton's women's soccer team, Amy Griffin, has compiled data on the number of athletes who've developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Griffin questions whether there's a link between toxic chemicals in tire crumb, aka "crumb rubber"—which is used in artificial-turf fields—and dozens of cancer cases.

The head of cancer-control research at the B.C. Cancer Research Centre, John Spinelli, told Johnson that in light of this anecdotal evidence, it "seems worthwhile" to conduct further research.

In the meantime, Pavco, which operates B.C. Place Stadium, has posted a request for proposals on the B.C. Bid website for an artificial turf field replacement project. The notification states:

"BC Place Stadium invites proposals from qualified proponents for the removal and disposal of the existing artificial turf surface (with the exception of the existing elastic layer shock absorbing pad, which will be retained for use) and the supply and installation of a FIFA 2-Star and IRB Regulation 22 compliant Artificial Turf Surfacing System (including development, design, testing, manufacturing, delivery and warranting of an Artificial Turf Surfacing System)."

It makes no mention of tire crumb or crumb rubber.

Submissions must be made no later than 4 p.m. on March 11.