Dynamic material flow analysis of microplastics lost from artificial turfs: A case study from Norway

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.