Chemical Exposure in artificial turf: What parents need to know
Often viewed as an eco alternative ( reduction of water and fertilizers needed in traditional grass fields), artificial turf has continued to grow in popularity in schools, universities, public parks and even homes.
Currently, there are between 12,000 and 13,000 synthetic turf sports fields in the U.S., with more than a thousand new installations each year, producing industry revenue of an estimated $2.5 billion annually. More than a quarter of the nation’s scrap tires (62 million) are used for playgrounds, landscaping, mulch, etc. Each athletic field uses 40,000 shredded tires for infill on these fields.
Sadly, the toll these fields can have on both the environment and our long term health is pretty damaging and often overlooked. Let’s dive in….
Artificial turf is made with several layers including :
⁃ plastic grass blades
⁃ plastic backing that holds the blades in place, and
⁃ infill that weighs down the turf and helps blades stand upright.
All of these layers expose us to chemicals… many of which are not disclosed by manufacturers
Blades.
usually made from usually nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene designed to mimic natural grass blades.
Some of the chemicals found & emitted in the plastic blades include: PAHs (reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen) , lead (neurotoxin) , VOCs (neurotoxins and respiratory irritants) , carbon black, styrene (reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen), antimicrobials (endocrine disrupting). phthalates (endocrine disrupting), and PfAS
2. Backing:
A backing layer to which the blades are sewn.
The Ecology Center and another organization called PEER in 2019 tested a range of artificial turfs and found that both the grass-like blades and the backing of artificial turf contain the highly toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS (PFAS are used for stain and water repellency but also for moulding and the extrusion of plastic. Extruding plastic is like using a cookie cutter. without PFAS the rigid plastic used to make the turf durable clogged up the extruding machines that make the turf… so they add PFAS which makes the process smoother)
3. Infill:
Infill is used to provide cushioning and serve as a base for the blades.
Different fields are made with different insert materials. The worse? Crumb rubber made from recycled tires which can contain and emit carcinogenic chemicals, heavy metals and more. In fact in July 2019, US EPA published a portion of their findings from their studies on artificial turf with crumb rubber which confirmed the presence of chemicals linked to cancer, nervous system toxicity, and impaired reproductive development such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, lead, and phthalates
What about newer “ greener” infills? Very few studies have examined the composition and safety of alternative infills. We do know that even newer more “eco friendly” turf (for example those that use cork as infill), still require PFAS.
A 2016 US EPA report found research supporting the safety of alternative infills such as EPDM, TPE, and plant-based infills “lacking or limited”. The little information available regarding the composition and safety of these newer generations of infill makes it impossible to assess safety.
One recent study conducted by Mount Sinai and the Toxic Use Reduction Institute (TURI) found the presence of known carcinogens and neurotoxins including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), lead, zinc, and black carbon in almost all alternative infill materials examined.
Other concerns
Microplastics: thanks to rain runoff, the environmental breakdown and pulverization by athletes running on the field microplastics are constantly being emitted from these fields into the air, water and athletes who play on them.
Greenhouse gases: a study on the life cycle of plastic concluded that polyethylene — the type used for the grass blades of artificial turf — emits greenhouse gasses, ethylene, propylene and methane into the atmosphere as it breaks down. Methane, 20 x more powerful at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, is currently driving 25% of atmospheric warming. Today, artificial turf has a distinctly large contribution to climate change in comparison to other plastics
HEAT Beyond chemical risks, the fields can act as heat islands that increase playing field temperatures to as much as 93C (200F),
How are children exposed to these chemicals?
A couple of ways.
1. touching or swallowing the crumbled rubber pellets that make up the backing,
2. possibly from breathing chemicals that off-gas into the air
3. Dermal contact and absorption through the skin or open wounds
Additionally, if you have a child that ever played on one of these fields, you know that the tiny pellets also get into shoes and clothing and end up in cars and homes, thus potentially expanding the potential exposure to these chemicals
SO, NOW WHAT?
It is not a secret that artificial turf could potentially be affecting our children’s and our own health. In fact, many well, respected organizations, and even the EPA, have admitted this or raise the alarm to this.
in 2019 In July, the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged that synthetic turf contains toxic chemicals, some of which are known to cause cancer. The EPA report was not a formal risk assessment though and did not address the potential harm.
In 9/2022 the city of Boston stated that no new artificial turf can be installed in city parks, making Boston the largest municipality in a small but growing number around the nation to limit use of the product because it contains dangerous chemicals
On April 18, 2023 the California Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxics Materials Committee approved a measure that would ban the manufacturing and sale of artificial turf containing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Assembly Bill 1423 was introduced in California by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo(link is external) (D-Santa Clarita) and cleared the committee. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, it will go into effect one year after it becomes law.
Bottom line?
From a toxicity standpoint a safer alternative exists: grass.
I get it though, grass can be a huge pain to maintain. But if you have a space with plenty of sun natural grass will always be a better alternative than artificial turf … particularly For homes with little children who are crawling and rolling in the grass-
Again, I know turf is easier, and sometimes we dont have a choice - but grass fields worked for years and even large cities, like Boston who banned new art turf fields, are realizing this.
What do you do if your school, childs sports field etc already have artificial turf installed?
If your child plays on a sports team and has to play in an artificial turf once at a visiting school, I’m not too concerned just make sure you wash their hands and take their shoes off when they get home. However, my levels of concern rise if the school or the playground or the field where child plays multiple times a day/week is made of artificial turf. Having stated this, the reality is that there are situations where you cannot avoid artificial turf (even my kids have had to play on these in club soccer) . In those cases:
1. Wash hands as soon as kids are done playing
2. Consider bringing a blanket or towel and sitting on that instead of turf if you have to sit on turf, but try to avoid passive activities on turk (playing , picnicking etc)
3. After playing on artificial turf, take shoes off outside house before coming indoors or bring a change of shoes to the field and have kids switch them out before getting into the car
4. Have kids shower as soon as they get home
5. clean any cuts or scratches with soap and water
How does artificial turf toxin exposure compare to toxin exposure on a natural grass field that requires pesticide use?
Obviously, the ideal situation is a grass field that does not require pesticide use… however the reality is that most (public) grass fields might require some level of pesticides to withstand constant sports etc.
I have not seen a study that addresses this and I wish there would be because I think it’s a great question. My thoughts based on my knowledge is that while both are potentially harmful in the long run the reality in most fields is that pesticide application might be used or done once or twice a year with time the potential exposure to pesticide chemicals from the treated grass would be reduced, particularly if it rains etc. Add to this that more communities in schools are becoming more picky about the chemicals that are used on fields and more communities are seeking lower tox chemicals.
Sadly, with artificial turf, the exposure to chemicals happens from day one and increases with time as the turf wears down. Additionally, children will bring those chemicals home into the car and homes when pieces of pellets and grass start to come off and stick to their bodies in clothes.
SOURCES
https://peer.org/toxic-forever-chemicals-infest-artificial-turf/
https://mountsinaiexposomics.org/artificial-turf/