Artificial Turf
Artificial turf raises health and environmental concerns for children and communities. These include toxic chemicals in the infilll and synthetic grass carpet, higher temperatures compared to natural grass, and the potential for toxic chemicals from the artificial turf to pollute nearby water sources. Natural grass, especially when managed organically, is an affordable, practical, and safer alternative to artificial turf.
toxic Chemicals
Components including synthetic grass carpet and infill can contain chemicals of concern. Infill made from recycled tire materials – also called “tire crumb” or “crumb rubber” – can contain polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals such as lead and zinc. Some of these chemicals are associated with health effects including cancer, hormone disruption, respiratory problems, and skin irritation.
alternative Infills
Alternatives to recycled tires can also contain chemicals of concern. Alternative synthetic infills include ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and products made from athletic shoe waste. Mineral-based and plant-derived materials used in infill can include wood, sand, zeolite, cork, coconut hulls, olive cores, and walnut shells. Infill can also be made with acrylic-coated sand. While there is some information about these materials, many of them have not been studied fully. Any synthetic materials used as infill will pose concerns related to introduction of rubber or plastic particles into the environment, along with whatever chemicals may be found in the material. More research is needed on all of these materials.
For more information, see WHE's artificial turf one-pager:
You can also learn more about chemicals in infill by viewing the report, Athletic Playing Fields: Choosing Safer Options for Health and the Environment and the video, “Safer Alternatives for Athletic Fields,” from the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI). A detailed comparison of materials can be found in “Artificial Turf Infill: A Comparative Assessment of Chemical Contents.”
PFAS in Artificial Turf
Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals with water- and stain-resistant properties. They are often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment. PFAS have been found as drinking water contaminants in many states. Some of their health effects include impacts on the liver and thyroid, metabolic effects, developmental effects, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. Determining the presence of PFAS in products can be challenging because chemical contents are frequently not disclosed by the manufacturer. However, tests of artificial turf carpet have found evidence of PFAS in the material. For more information see the TURI report, “Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in artificial in turf carpet.”
Heat Hazards
Artificial turf can get much hotter than grass. On summer days, artificial turf temperatures have been measured at more than 150 degrees F. This can burn skin, and it increases the risk of heat-related illness for athletes – already a concern as temperatures are rising around the county. For more details, see the TURI fact sheet, “Athletic Playing Fields and Artificial Turf: Considerations for Municipalities and Institutions.” The school district of Burlington, MA adopted a policy prohibiting use of artificial turf fields when temperatures reach a specified level.
Photo: U.S. C.D.C.
Environmental Impacts
Artificial turf has numerous impacts on the environment. The synthetic grass blades can break off and migrate into the environment, contributing to microplastic pollution. Replacing natural grass with artificial turf reduces habitat for small organisms and reduces absorption of stormwater, which could contribute to flooding problems. Artificial turf fields typically last for 8 to 10 years, after which they are often sent to landfills, adding to the burden of solid waste.
In a few locations in the U.S., toxic chemicals in artificial turf polluted nearby water sources. For example, recent findings indicate that a chemical found in tires is responsible for mortality of coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest. In 2020, reuse of turf in a construction project led to the release of a large quantity of crumb rubber into the Puyallup River in Washington State. A study by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection identified concerns related to a number of chemicals in stormwater runoff from artificial turf fields, including high zinc concentrations in stormwater as a particular concern for aquatic organisms.
From a climate change perspective, choosing synthetic turf means loss of carbon dioxide-absorbing natural grass. It also means losing the contribution of grassy areas to reducing the urban heat island effect.
Natural Grass Athletic Fields
Natural grass, especially if it is managed organically, is an affordable, practical and safer alternative to artificial turf. It can provide a high-performance surface for athletic activities. Organic care of natural grass focuses on “cultural controls”, including soil testing, frequent aeration, frequent mowing, and use of organic fertilizers and soil amendments. It doesn’t involve use of toxic herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.
Photo: Jim Garry Stadium at Fort Cherry (fortcherry.org)
