We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Development of a new lysimeter system to assess microplastic, PAH and heavy metal emissions from artificial turf sports pitches
Summary
Researchers developed a new lysimeter system to assess emissions of microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals from artificial turf sports pitches, responding to the European Commission's 2023 regulation banning synthetic rubber infill granules. The system was designed to quantify MP emissions from multiple turf components including polyethylene grass fibers, rubber granules, and other synthetic materials.
Since September 2023, the European Commission introduced a new regulation to reduce emissions of microplastics (MP) into the environment, including the sale and use of intentionally added MP. Therein, the use of synthetic rubber granules in artificial turf is explicitly mentioned and banned for future use. Additionally, abrasions of grass fibres and other turf components are also considered as MP sources. Artificial turf pitches are multi component systems: e. g. grass fibres made of polyethylene (PE), synthetic infill made of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), carpet backing of polypropylene (PP) glued with polyurethane (PU), winding yarn of polyethylene terephthalate or elastic layer of Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) bound with PU. While the ban has great impact on recreational sports, there is so far no sufficient data to estimate the MP emissions from artificial turf sports pitches into the environment and thus their relevance as a source of MP pollution. To close this gap, three artificial turf scenarios in different ageing states (unaged, artificially aged and aged in real time) were analysed in this study: the past (old turf: fossil based, synthetic infill), present (most commonly installed in Germany: fossil based, synthetic infill) and future (turf with recycled grass fibres, no synthetic infill). To simulate outdoor weathering during the service life of approx. 15 years, accelerated ageing by UV weathering and mechanical stress was carried out. The newly developed and in-house manufactured Microplastic Eluate Lysimeter (MEL) simulates contaminant transfer into the groundwater and allows the simultaneous sampling for MP and dissolved contaminants, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) or heavy metals (HM). MP mass contents were analysed using smart microfilter crucibles (mesh size: 5 µm) and Thermal Extraction Desorption Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry and PAH and HM concentrations were determined using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, respectively. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559678/document
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Development of a new lysimeter system to assess microplastic, PAH and heavy metal emissions from artificial turf sports pitches
Researchers developed a new lysimeter system designed to measure emissions of microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals leaching from artificial turf sports pitches, responding to European Commission regulations introduced in September 2023 that ban synthetic rubber infill granules. The system enables controlled quantification of pollutant release from multi-component turf systems including polyethylene grass fibres, EPDM rubber infill, and carpet backing under realistic rainfall conditions.
Simultaneous sampling for microplastics and environmental contaminants from artificial turf: development of a new integrated microplastics eluate lysimeter
Researchers developed a simultaneous sampling protocol for collecting microplastics alongside persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals from artificial leachates, providing a more holistic approach to monitoring potentially harmful contaminant emissions from soils and materials.
Quantifying the Sustainability of Football (Soccer) Pitches: A Comparison of Artificial and Natural Turf Pitches with a Focus on Microplastics and Their Environmental Impacts
A comparative life cycle assessment of artificial turf and natural grass football pitches found that artificial turf generates substantial microplastic emissions, particularly from rubber crumb infill, with total environmental impacts differing by metric.
Tests of rubber granules used as artificial turf for football fields in terms of toxicity to human health and the environment
Researchers tested rubber granules used in artificial soccer field turf and found that many samples contained polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — cancer-linked chemicals — at levels exceeding EU safety limits. The findings support growing calls to restrict or replace these recycled rubber materials in sports infrastructure to protect players and the environment.
Artificial sport surfaces and adverse effects for human health. A literature review
This literature review evaluates health risks from artificial sport surfaces using recycled tire rubber infill, finding that the EU classifies rubber granules as microplastics and that their hazardous chemical content raises bio-accessibility concerns especially for children using playgrounds.