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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden
ClearWidespread 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.
Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden
Researchers found widespread non-extractable fluorine — indicative of PFAS compounds — in artificial turf fields across Stockholm, with total fluorine detected in all 51 samples tested, raising concerns about PFAS contamination in synthetic turf materials and potential exposure for athletes and nearby ecosystems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Metal and metalloid content in real urban synthetic surfaces made of recycled tire crumb rubber including playgrounds and football fields
Researchers analyzed metal and metalloid concentrations in crumb rubber infill material collected in-use from playgrounds and artificial sports fields across multiple sites, finding elevated levels of metals including toxic heavy metals in samples from children's play areas. Crumb rubber from recycled tires represents the largest intentional source of microplastics in the environment, and children who play on these surfaces face potential exposure to both the plastic particles and their toxic metal content. The study provides real-world contamination data from actual in-use facilities rather than laboratory samples, making the findings more directly applicable to public health decisions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ingestion of rubber tips of artificial turf fields by goldfish
Researchers found that rubber crumb infill from artificial turf sports fields can migrate into adjacent waterways and be actively ingested by goldfish, suggesting that synthetic sports fields are a potential pathway for rubber-derived microplastics to enter aquatic ecosystems.
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.