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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Quantifying the Sustainability of Football (Soccer) Pitches: A Comparison of Artificial and Natural Turf Pitches with a Focus on Microplastics and Their Environmental Impacts
ClearFate 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.
Environmental impacts of artificial turf: a scoping review
This scoping review examines the environmental impacts of artificial turf, documenting concerns around microplastic pollution from synthetic grass fibers and infill materials, chemical leaching, and end-of-life waste disposal.
Mechanisms of Generation and Ecological Impacts of Nano- and Microplastics from Artificial Turf Systems in Sports Facilities
This review examines how artificial turf in sports facilities generates nano- and microplastics through mechanical wear, UV radiation, and weathering of synthetic grass fibers and infill materials. These plastic particles have been detected in drainage systems and surrounding soils near sports facilities, with laboratory studies showing harmful effects on soil organisms and aquatic life. The findings highlight artificial turf as an overlooked but significant source of microplastic pollution in urban environments.
A microplastic used as infill material in artificial sport turfs reduces plant growth
Researchers found that rubber crumb microplastics used as infill in artificial sport turfs reduced plant growth, highlighting that plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems may pose risks to vegetation that are currently poorly understood.
Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass: A Case Study of Environmental Effects, Health Risks, Safety, and Cost
Researchers compared the environmental effects, health risks, safety, and costs of artificial turf versus natural grass playing fields in a New Jersey township. They found that artificial turf raises environmental and health concerns, including microplastic shedding and chemical exposure, while natural grass provides ecological benefits. The study suggests that restoring aging turf fields to natural grass may be a more sustainable long-term choice.
Dynamic material flow analysis of microplastics lost from artificial turfs: A case study from Norway
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.
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.
A comparison of two rotational traction test devices for artificial turf
Despite its title referencing microplastic infills, this paper studies sports pitch traction testing — not microplastic pollution. It examines the mechanical performance of two rotational traction test devices when used on artificial turf pitches infilled with natural alternatives (cork, olive pits, wood) that have replaced banned microplastic rubber crumb, and is not primarily relevant to microplastics or human health.
A quest for greener grass: Value-action gap in the management of artificial turf pitches in Sweden
Researchers investigated the value-action gap in artificial turf management in Sweden through semi-structured interviews with turf managers and users, finding that despite broadly positive attitudes toward sustainability, actors were prevented from reducing microplastic pollution by complex multi-level policy terrain, financial constraints, and the 'sportification' of football culture.
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.
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.
The dark side of artificial greening: Plastic turfs as widespread pollutants of aquatic environments.
This study found that artificial turf fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene are widely present in river and ocean waters, having been transported there by stormwater runoff from sports fields, gardens, and rooftops. The findings reveal artificial turf as an underappreciated and widespread source of microplastic fiber pollution in aquatic environments.
The Athlete's Invisible Opponent: Synthetic Turf Risks in Sustainable Stadiums and Green Chemistry Solutions
This review examined the health and environmental risks posed by styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) infill granules in third-generation synthetic sports pitches. The authors found that athletes are exposed to microplastics and carcinogenic compounds from rubber crumb, and reviewed green chemistry alternatives that could replace conventional infill while maintaining pitch performance.
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 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.
Parks and Recreational Areas as Sinks of Plastic Debris in Urban Sites: The Case of Light-Density Microplastics in the City of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Researchers found that parks and recreational areas in Amsterdam act as significant sinks for light-density microplastics, with artificial turf infill, tire rubber, and film fragments as dominant types, suggesting urban green spaces accumulate substantial plastic pollution from recreational and maintenance activities.
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.
Health impacts of artificial turf: Toxicity studies, challenges, and future directions
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.
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.
Artificial turf and crumb rubber infill: An international policy review concerning the current state of regulations
This review compared artificial turf and crumb rubber infill regulations across seven jurisdictions, finding significant variation in regulatory approaches and insufficient research on the human and environmental health risks of these materials.
Are volatile methylsiloxanes in downcycled tire microplastics? Levels and human exposure estimation in synthetic turf football fields
Researchers measured volatile methylsiloxane levels in crumb rubber from recycled tires used as infill on synthetic turf football fields and found these chemicals present in all 135 samples tested. The concentrations were highest in commercial crumb rubber before field application, likely originating from silicone-based additives used in tire manufacturing. While the estimated human exposure doses through dermal absorption and ingestion during play were below health concern thresholds, the study confirms that synthetic turf microplastics serve as vectors for these emerging pollutants.
Environmental risks of breakdown nanoplastics from synthetic football fields
Researchers collected drainage water from a synthetic football field and tested whether nanoplastics released from the turf materials were toxic to aquatic organisms. They found that broken-down particles from the rubber granules used as infill were highly toxic to water fleas, particularly chemicals from the granule surfaces. The study raises concerns about the environmental impact of synthetic sports turf on nearby waterways.
Airborne microplastic emissions from synthetic sports surfaces and associated health risks to children
This review examines synthetic sports surfaces like tracks and artificial turf as sources of airborne microplastic emissions in school environments, focusing on health risks to children. The study highlights evidence linking inhaled airborne microplastics to oxidative stress, inflammation, and systemic health effects, noting that children face heightened vulnerability due to their physiology and activity patterns on these surfaces.
Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden
Researchers found widespread non-extractable fluorine contamination in artificial turf samples from Stockholm, indicating the presence of PFAS compounds that could not be fully identified or quantified. Artificial turf fields are a known source of both microplastic rubber particles and toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances entering the environment.