Artificial Turf: Hidden Dangers in Our Playing Fields
Recent reports reveal that artificial turf, commonly used in sports, contains harmful chemicals that can negatively impact our health. Many are unaware that artificial turf is essentially ground-up tire crumbs.
When the Houston Astrodome was constructed in the 1960s, it was too dark to grow grass inside. Monsanto stepped in and created a plastic, minced rubber carpet known as Astroturf. Eventually, this was made from tires and became standard for both indoor and outdoor sports fields. On average, a playing field consists of 120 tons of finely ground road tires, releasing what some observers describe as “small amounts of toxic, cancer-causing, mutation-triggering chemicals and metals.” Unfortunately, as with many products approved by U.S. safety administrations, these rubber playing fields emit numerous other chemical emissions that are highly questionable regarding their effects on human health.
While many sports enthusiasts appreciate artificial turf for its convenience and perceived safety compared to grass, we must consider the potential health risks. Athletes are breathing in toxic gases, and our children are playing on materials made from old car tires.
Patti Woods from Grassroots Environmental Education highlights the issues with artificial turf, stating, “Tires typically contain toxic substances which prohibit their disposal in landfills and oceans, so it is reasonable to question whether this material is safe for use on fields where children play.”
What is particularly alarming is that the State Department of Public Health has downplayed the risks of these chemicals in fake turf. This is unsurprising given the multi-billion dollar sports industry, which prefers not to acknowledge that their players might be inhaling toxins. Additionally, the tire industry benefits from finding a profitable way to dispose of used tires, which are often too toxic for landfills. Despite approval from the Public Health department, environmentalists, athletes, media, and policymakers are increasingly concerned about the safety of artificial turfs. They question the impact of fields made from over 26,000 minced tires.
Researchers from the Occupational & Environmental Health Center at the University of Connecticut have identified potential risks artificial turf poses to young people, children, and babies. This concern arises as toxic chopped tires are also being used in parks and playgrounds. The financial incentive for tire manufacturers is significant, with each children’s artificial-turf field costing between $500,000 and $1 million. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has found that consuming just 10 grams of rubber crumbs can exceed the cancer risk threshold set by most states.
In response, European countries like Sweden have recommended against using rubber crumbs in new installations due to health hazards. The Italian Ministry of Health has also found carcinogenic substances in artificial turf.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s research into minced tires reveals a wide array of chemicals that can harm human health when inhaled. These include carbon black, benzothiazole, butylated hydroxyanisole, hexadecane, lead, cadmium, and numerous other volatile organic compounds.
What’s Being Done?
Concerned individuals in Massachusetts are debating the safety of crumb rubber pellets used in artificial turf. Given the evidence that these ingredients could be carcinogenic, addressing this issue is crucial. Arsenic and benzene, commonly found in these pellets, can increase cancer risk even with brief contact.
Measures You Can Take to Protect Your Children
If you or your children play on artificial turf, here are some steps to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals:
– Thoroughly wash with hot water and soap after playing on artificial turf.
– Avoid contact between the turf and your mouth.
– Refrain from playing on artificial turf during very hot weather, as this can increase toxic emissions from the chopped tires.
These precautions can help minimize the risks from toxic rubber crumbs. Advocate for your school systems, parks, and policymakers to avoid using rubber crumbs and to remove existing installations.
