We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Health impacts of artificial turf: Toxicity studies, challenges, and future directions
Summary
Researchers reviewed toxicology studies on artificial turf, documenting that chemicals leaching from crumb rubber fill—including PAHs, phthalates, and PFAS—are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, while calling for more rigorous human epidemiology and ecotoxicology studies to properly assess health risks from field use and runoff.
Many communities around the country are undergoing contentious battles over the installation of artificial turf. Opponents are concerned about exposure to hazardous chemicals leaching from the crumb rubber cushioning fill made of recycled tires, the plastic carpet, and other synthetic components. Numerous studies have shown that chemicals identified in artificial turf, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known carcinogens, neurotoxicants, mutagens, and endocrine disruptors. However, few studies have looked directly at health outcomes of exposure to these chemicals in the context of artificial turf. Ecotoxicology studies in invertebrates exposed to crumb rubber have identified risks to organisms whose habitats have been contaminated by artificial turf. Chicken eggs injected with crumb rubber leachate also showed impaired development and endocrine disruption. The only human epidemiology studies conducted related to artificial turf have been highly limited in design, focusing on cancer incidence. In addition, government agencies have begun their own risk assessment studies to aid community decisions. Additional studies in in vitro and in vivo translational models, ecotoxicological systems, and human epidemiology are strongly needed to consider exposure from both field use and runoff, components other than crumb rubber, sensitive windows of development, and additional physiological endpoints. Identification of potential health effects from exposures due to spending time at artificial turf fields and adjacent environments that may be contaminated by runoff will aid in risk assessment and community decision making on the use of artificial turf.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
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.
Global evaluation of the chemical hazard of recycled tire crumb rubber employed on worldwide synthetic turf football pitches
Forty-two organic chemicals including PAHs, phthalates, and vulcanization agents were analyzed in 91 crumb rubber infill samples from synthetic turf football pitches globally, finding widespread contamination with hazardous compounds and identifying key chemical hazards for risk assessment.
Exploring the Human Health Impact of Artificial Turf Worldwide: A Systematic Review.
This systematic review found that artificial turf infill and fibers contain concentrations of PAHs, cadmium, mercury, and zinc that exceed European safety limits. While bioaccessibility varied by chemical, cancer risks were identified for children with pica behavior exposed to PAHs and for heavy metal exposure via dermal, inhalation, and ingestion pathways.
Hazardous compounds in recreational and urban recycled surfaces made from crumb rubber. Compliance with current regulation and future perspectives
Researchers characterized 42 hazardous chemicals including PAHs, phthalates, and antioxidants in 40 crumb rubber surfaces used in sports fields and playgrounds, finding that most samples meet recent EU limits for rubber granulates but exceed standards for consumer products, and that multiple endocrine-disrupting compounds were widely detected at parts-per-million concentrations.
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.