Artificial Turf Health Risks

Artificial turf products are installed on athletic fields and playgrounds in communities all across the country but uncertainties remain about their safety, particularly for children. Read this entry to learn what the current scientific evidence shows about the potential health and safety risks of play on artificial turf surfaces.

If your school, community, or business is considering installing an artificial turf field, it is important to be an educated consumer. Many turf products are available, and some are even advertised as “green” or “eco-friendly”, but it can be difficult to assess their safety for use by children because adequate risk assessment studies that assess all potential routes of exposure during realistic play conditions have not been conducted. This guide will help you dig deeper than the label on the packaging to learn what chemicals these products contain, how children may be exposed to these chemicals, and understand the potential health risks.

What Is Artificial Turf?

Synthetic or artificial turf is a multi-layer product used as a surface on athletic playing fields, playgrounds, golf courses, and residential lawns. It typically consists of:

• A top layer of plastic fibers (usually nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene) designed to mimic natural grass blades.
• Infill to provide cushioning and serve as a base for the blades.
• A backing layer to which the blades are sewn.
• A drainage layer.
• Additional padding layers in some applications.

What Health Risks Are Associated With Play on Artificial Turf?

Chemical exposures:

Chemicals known to be carcinogenic such as heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (e.g. benzene), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 1,3-butadiene have been detected in turf infill made from recycled tires. Further study is needed to characterize the complete chemical composition of infill made from materials other than tires.

Exposure can happen through:

Inhalation of chemicals and particles

Dermal contact and absorption through the skin or open wounds

Ingestion of turf infill particles

Exposure may be affected by weather conditions, temperature, and type of activity (i.e. physical impact on the turf itself and ventilation rate of the individual).

Non-chemical exposures:

• Heat: Artificial surface temperatures can get up to 60 degrees higher than natural grass and have been measured as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit on a summer day. The air at head height also measures much hotter than the air about natural grass surfaces. This increases the risk of skin burns and heat illness.
• Injuries: Athletes playing on turf fields have been shown to have more abrasions or “turf burns,” which can harbor infection and may increase exposure to turf chemicals. Studies also show that athletes are at higher risk of knee and ankle injuries and concussions.

What Chemicals Should I Be Concerned About?

Artificial turf fields are made up of several different components, each of which may expose players to chemicals of concern. The most well-studied of these is “crumb rubber” infill made from recycled automobile tires.

Table 1 shows a partial list of chemicals of concern known to be present in artificial turf made from recycled rubber. Studies conducted by the USEPA confirm the presence of these and over 350 chemicals in crumb rubber infill, only half of which have toxicity data available. Studies conducted by Mount Sinai also detect these chemicals of concern in alternative infills made from plastic, virgin rubber, shoes, and even plant-based materials.

In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been identified in turf field components, most notably in some grass blades and infill types. PFAS are a class of over 15,000 chemicals used widely in consumer products for their grease, water, and stain-resistant properties. Because of this widespread use and their persistence in the environment, PFAS chemicals are now major drinking water contaminants and detected in the bodies of nearly all Americans. Some analyses find PFAS in bodies of water adjacent to artificial turf fields suggesting that it can leach out and enter the environment. More research is needed to determine whether PFAS or other chemicals in turf get into the bodies of individuals during play and whether there are any associated health effects.

Be An Educated Artificial Turf Consumer

• Beware of greenwashing: the use of terms like “organic”, “green”, and “eco” do not guarantee safety. In fact, those terms are not regulated for turf products, so their meaning in this context can be misleading.
• Choose companies that are transparent and disclose all materials. Note that manufacturers’ Safety Data Sheets (SDS) do NOT disclose all chemicals used in the product or their potential impacts on health. To obtain complete disclosure, ask manufacturers to list all components in writing.
• Ask for third-party testing that demonstrates that all turf components are PFAS-free.
• Contact us to discuss testing options and results.
• Consider the possibility of maintaining an organic grass field with an underground drainage system.

Tips for Safer Play on Artificial Turf Surfaces

• Avoid use on very hot days
  
• Avoid use for passive activities (i.e. sitting, lounging, picnicking)
  
• Ensure good ventilation of indoor fields by opening doors and windows and utilizing fans
  
• Monitor young children to prevent accidental ingestion
  
• Always wear shoes on artificial turf
  
• Wash hands before eating, drinking, or adjusting mouth guard
  
• Clean cuts and abrasions immediately
  
• Brush hair thoroughly after play
  
• Remove and clean shoes and gear outside before getting in car
  
• At home, take off shoes and shake out your children’s equipment and clothes outside or over the garbage
  
• Shower immediately after playing on artificial turf
  
• Vacuum any infill that comes into your home
• Post a safety warning outside the field that includes tips for safer play

Turf Presentations

Read our artificial turf position statement