We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Dynamic material flow analysis of microplastics lost from artificial turfs: A case study from Norway
Summary
Researchers used dynamic material flow analysis to quantify microplastic losses from artificial turf football fields in Norway over their entire service life. The model estimated that significant quantities of rubber infill microplastics are lost annually to surrounding environments via runoff and wind, informing the EU REACH restriction on intentionally added microplastics.
Microplastics are a significant environmental issue, and large amounts are annually lost to the environment. In April 2023, the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Committee voted to prohibit microplastics intentionally added to products within the European Union (EU). This includes microplastics added to artificial turfs used for football (soccer). The current dynamics of microplastics lost from artificial turfs to the environment are not yet fully understood. This paper investigates the loss of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) granules from annually-operated artificial turfs used for soccer in Norway. A material flow model was developed to provide system understanding, find key parameters, and quantify flows and stocks. Estimation of flow uncertainties was performed by Monte Carlo simulation, and data reconciliation provided improved estimates for the balanced system. Finally, for future regulation, scenarios were created to see how the loss of SBR granules changes under different conditions. The results reveal a current annual loss of 1187 tons of SBR granules (900 kg/year per field), a number that increases every year, due to the maintenance and design of the artificial turfs. Scenarios indicate that implementing measures is crucial to preventing the loss of SBR granules to the environment. The model developed may be easily modified to represent the release of microplastics from artificial turfs in other geographical areas, climatic zones, or maintenance practices.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Concept development of granular traps : A study to reduce the spread of microplastics from artificial turf
This Swedish engineering thesis developed a concept for granular traps to prevent microplastics from artificial turf sports fields from spreading to surrounding environments via stormwater runoff. Tire crumb rubber and artificial turf infill are major sources of microplastic pollution in urban waterways.
Fate of recycled tyre granulate used on artificial turf
Researchers reviewed the environmental fate of recycled tyre rubber granulate used as infill on artificial turf fields, finding that while the material provides significant CO2 savings compared to alternatives, dispersal of approximately 3,000-5,000 kg per field per year to surrounding environments raises microplastic pollution concerns.
Dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis of rubber release from tires into the environment
A dynamic material flow analysis model estimated the annual and cumulative release of rubber from vehicle tires into the environment via road wear, finding that tire rubber represents a substantial fraction of total microplastic pollution in terrestrial and aquatic systems. The study helps quantify this important but often overlooked microplastic source.
Tyre granulate on the loose; How much escapes the turf? A systematic literature review
Without mitigation measures, an average artificial football turf loses approximately 950 kg/year of tire rubber infill to the environment, with snow removal adding up to 830 kg/year more. The most effective reduction strategies target snow clearing, mechanical brushing, and granulate carried off by players.
Using Dynamic Release Modeling to Predict Historic and Current Macro- and Microplastic Releases
Researchers developed a Dynamic Probabilistic Material Flow Analysis model coupled with a release model to quantify historic and current macro- and microplastic emissions in Switzerland, providing a dataset tracking plastic releases across product lifecycles.