Environmental Health Impacts of Synthetic Turf and Safer Alternatives

Research on the production, use, and disposal of artificial turf has brought to light concerns over environmental contamination, human health hazards, and adverse effects on wildlife. Researchers have studied a variety of contaminants found in artificial turf and different types of infill used to soften its surfaces. Concerns have been raised about polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), 6PPD-quinone, and microplastics, among others. Studies have also examined heat related illnesses, skin infections, and other human health concerns. During this webinar Rachel Massey, ScD, Lindsey Pollard, MS, Zhenyu Tian, PhD, and Sarah Evans, PhD, discussed their work looking at environmental health impacts of artificial turf and safer alternatives.
Dr. Rachel Massey and Lindsey Pollard discussed the research they have conducted at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) on health and environmental implications of artificial turf and safer alternatives. They described their research on materials used as artificial turf infill, including waste tire materials. They also touched upon emerging information on chemicals in artificial turf grass blades, as well as other health and environmental concerns associated with artificial turf, such as microplastic pollution and high surface temperatures. They briefly discussed their research on natural grass athletic fields as a safer alternative.
Dr. Zhenyu Tian briefly summarized the identification of 6PPD-quinone as a lethal toxicant for coho salmon, and will further introduce the comprehensive screening of organic contaminants in urban stormwater and tire wear particle leachate. He discussed knowledge gaps and ongoing research about crumb rubber infill materials.
To conclude, Dr. Sarah Evans spoke from a pediatric environmental health perspective, touching on routes of exposure and concerns specific to children, with an emphasis on what families and communities can do to use safer alternatives.
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[@cali4916]

Thank you. Great overview.

[@malcolmtruman6467]

A 3G shredded tyre long-term dumpsite (disguised as a sports field) was installed 130 feet from and 30 feet higher than the water level of our once enchanting unique oasis pond/lake and within months all pond weed died, all water lilies and most shrubs and roses watered from the pond/lake water. That was 5 years ago and there is no sign of recovery despite filtration and airration of the pond/lake water. About 95% of all the wonderful species that were here are now NOT HERE! For what it is worth mentioning I conclude that the shredded tyre grains, spread on open land, abraid, decay. perish and decompose into a fine micro chemical containing dust, in hot dry weather, and a chemical dust/paste in wet weather. The micro dust is inhaled by children and the paste of the wet micro paste gets into skin pores, cuts, grazes, eyes, noses and ears. It is OBVIOUS this is not good for children so why is so much study required to PROVE THE OBVIOUS? I thnk it pathetic that so much talk and research TAKING YEARS is disgraceful because whilst you talk and research the OBVIOUS, many thousand of children are inhaling the evil harmful abraided micro dust to set them up for illness in their later years. All the time you dither you do not considering the OBVOIUS hence more and more kids are being poisoned as is the environment and ecosystems like mine are being destroyed. I appreciate your studies and research but when someting is so OBVIOUS why do you not mention the OBVIOUS and save costly research and years of TIME doing that lengthy research? PLEASE DEMAND the ban of shredded toxic tyre grains NOW not let more years go by! I reported what happen to our paradise and all UK Gov. Agencies have pooed my concerns and complaints and have not even done a site visit here in 5 YEARS! My once amazing watercourse is now totally destroyed forever because you lot just talk and talk for years! The stuff is highly toxic and must be banned! The water table beneathh all shredded tyre toxic DUMPSITES are poisoned FOREVER. The micro particles in children's lungs may break down further by mucus acids and pass into the bloodstream of sporty children and adults to end up in the all organs, bone MARROW and the BRAIN. You are wasting so many years just talking! YOU MUST GET YOUR FINDINGS DIRECT TO PARENTS IMMEDIATELY! No one in authority cares about all your talking and they will go on poisoning kids and environmant all the time they can get away with it!

[@kathrynhopkins]

The UK government decided not to do anything about artificial grass - it is a disgrace. It's like a virus that is spreading here, with more and more people installing it. Even our local football pitch is considering it and it is near a river. No one seems to care about the harm it causes, I just don't understand.

[@alantate25]

Is there a safe alternative??

[@BBirke1337]

Interesting, I thought tires today aren't really toxic anymore, unlike in the 1960s, 70s, when they contained cadmium and other poisons.