Download 7.I Supplemental Appropriation Sand for Town Park Playground

CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Report Date: July 11, 2016
Meeting Date: July 19, 2016
TO:
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM:
KEVIN G. KRAMER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: FIELD
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIO NS
SUBJECT:
DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL
APPROPRIATION FOR PROCUREMENT OF SAND FOR THE SANDBOX
AT TOWN PARK PLAYGROUND
**********
PURPOSE:
Following an act of vandalism, the sandbox at Town Park playground was emptied of its silicabased sand. Because the sand that was immediately available had no certification guaranteeing it
to be dustless, staff filled the sandbox with certified dustless/splinterless engineered wood fiber
so that the playground could be reopened in a timely manner. Upon further investigation, it was
determined that silica-based sand continues to be linked with an increasing number of health
concerns; therefore, alternatives to silica-based product were considered.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Retain the certified dustless/splinterless engineered wood fiber in the sandbox for the foreseeable
future.
OPTIONS:
1. Leave the certified dustless/splinterless engineered wood fiber in the sandbox - take no
action.
2. Replace the certified dustless/splinterless engineered wood fiber with silica-based sand.
This action would require a supplemental appropriation.
3. Replace the certified dustless/splinterless engineered wood fiber with feldspar-based
sand. This action would require a supplemental appropriation.
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CEQA STATUS:
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMP ACT:
Adoption of Option 1 has no fiscal impact.
Adoption of Option 2 would require a supplemental appropriation in the amount of$3,000.
Adoption of Option 3 would require a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $40,000.
The current General Fund deficit is <$3,876,000> as of June 30, 2015. Any supplemental
appropriation would increase the deficit by that amount.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Broken glass found in the sandbox area of the Town Park Playground required complete removal
and disposal of the sand within the structure. In order to reopen the playground in a timely
manner - the sand removal occurred on a Friday -staff filled the sandbox with approved wood
fiber (the same wood fiber used throughout the playground). An attempt to locate and purchase
the same type of certified dustless sand that had been used previously in the sandbox was
unsuccessful: vendors were unwilling to provide certification that guaranteed that the sand was
dustless. When they did provide a response as to why they no longer provided certification, the
reply was, " ... certification was simply no longer available."
I had been aware of an association between the breathing problem of silicosis and inhalation of
silica dust but I assumed that malady required long term exposure; however, given the fact that I
could not locate certified dustless sand, I began to investigate silica-based sand and any healthrelated concerns. That search resulted in finding that inhalation of silica-based dust - a concern
that has been evident for a number of years -was only one of several problems associated with
silica sand. Indeed, further scientific study determined that skin exposure poses some significant
health risks. In late-2005 Health and Safety magazine Occupational Hazards (rebranded as
EHSToday) asserted,
While the link between occupational exposure to silica and autoimmune disorders
has been well-established, most studies have focused on inhalation exposure. This
hypothesis is that "skin exposure to fine and ultrafine silica-probably crystalline
silica- can result in a susceptible or predisposed individual developing an
autoimmune disorder such as SLE, rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma. 1
I
http://www. clero.org/sclerodem1a/causes/environmental/silica/diseases.html.
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Also present within the chemical composition of silica-based sand is asbestos tremolite, a
known cancer causer. Moreover, number of reputable, scientific organizations such as
the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta have determined similar conclusions. However,
much remains to be learned about the possible detrimental effects regarding contact (via
inhalation and/or skin) with silica-based sand; yet, within society's current framework of
sue first and ask no questions if you win, a prudent course for vulnerable entities who are
perceived as deep pockets is to avoid allowing children to be exposed to silica-based sand
within the sandbox at Town Park. Option 3 is too costly.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Informational article from International Scleroderma Network, a 50l(c)(3) U.S. based public charitable foundation founded in 2002
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Diseases Caused by Silica Exposure
SC
ATIACHMENT 1
O.ORG
Home Scleroderma News "'ScleroForums* Support World
� Scleroderma • Symptoms • Causes • Environmental
Overview
Diseases caused by Silica
Silica Materials
smcosis
smca and Scleroderma
Occupatlonal Exposure
Overview
Scteroderma and Silica
smcosjs
vasculitis
Autoimmune
Lupus and smca
Overview of Diseases Caused by Silica Exposure
Silica exposure can cause autoimmune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma,
and vasculitis. It can also cause sllicosis, kidney disease, lung cancer,
tuberculosis, and other airways diseases. Environmental exposure to silica can
occur in workers and bystanders in many industries, including agriculture,
construction, and potters.
Autoimmune Diseases and Silica
Study Looks at Possible Link Between Skin Exposure to Silica and Autoimmune Disorders,
While the link between occupational exposure to silica and autoimmune disorders has been
well-established, most studies have focused on inhalation exposure. This hypothesis is that
"skin exposure to fine and ultrafine silica- probably crystalline silica- can result in a
susceptible or predisposed individual developing an autoimmune disorder such as SLE,
rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma." Occupational Hazards. 10/11/05.
lromunoglobulio and lymphocyte responses following silica exposure in New Zealand mixed
mlce, These studies begin to provide possible mechanisms for environmentally induced
autoimmune diseases that have been reported in many epidemiological studies. PubMed, lnhal
Toxicol. 2004 Mar:16(3):133-9.
http://www.sclero.org/sclerodermelcauses/environmental/sllica/diseases.html
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Diseases Caused by Silica Exposure
Lupus and Silica
smca accelerated systemic autoimmune disease in lupus-prone New Zealand mixed mice.
Lungs of the silica-exposed mice had increased inflammatory infiltrates as well as fibrotic
lesions characterized by excess collagen deposition. Silica exposure significantly exacerbated
the course of disease. PubMed, Clin Exp lmmuno/ 2003 Mar;131(3):415-21. (Also see Lu.pus)
Scleroderma and Silica
Causes of Scieroderma: Silica and Occupational Exposure.
Occupational exposure to silica is a
known cause of scleroderma. It is legally recognized as an occupational disease in many
countries, including the United States. Scleroderma predominantly affects women. A striking
finding is that when scleroderma occurs in men, it is often due to occupational exposure, such
as to silica. !SN.
Overview
South Africa
United States
Research
Canada
Eta nee
Germany
Silicosis and Silica
Silicosis and Silica.
Significant exposure to airborne crystalline silica can cause tuberculosis,
lung cancer, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosls, silicosis, and scleroderma. Silicosis can
cause
a nodular type of lung fibrosis, tuberculosis, and kidney disorders. /SN.
overview
Epidemics
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Disability
Prevention
smcosis Symptoms
Vasculitis and Silica
Exposure to silica and risk of antioeutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated
yasculjtis, Long-term silica exposure may be one of the exogenous factors contributing to ANCA
production, however, silica exposure alone, without typical silicosis, was not associated with
ANCA positivity. PubMed, Am J Ind Med. 2006 May 11. (Also see
Vasculltis and Antibodies)
(Case Report) Silica exposure and systemic vasculitjs. I present the case of a 63-year-old male
who worked in DOE (Department of Energy) facilities for 30 years as a weapons testing
technician. In addition to silica, other workplace exposures included beryllium, various solvents
and heavy metals, depleted uranium, and ionizing radiation. The patient's diagnoses included
hllp:/Jwww.sclero.org/scleroderma/causes/environmenlal/sillca/diseases.hlml
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Diseases Caused by Siiica Exposure
6/12/?.016
microscopic polyangiitis, systemic necrotizing vasculitis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and
glomerulonephritis. PubMed, Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Dec:111(16):1933-8. (Also see
Vasculitis)
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Materials Containing Silica
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