Athletes might worry about their safety when they set foot on a field, but not because of the surface itself. After all, it’s just a bunch of sod, right?
Think again. Artificial turf, which is made from potentially harmful chemicals and materials, can pose a hazard to people who spend lots of time on it and by breathing in its emanations on hot days. So says a researcher at USF’s College of Public Health (COPH), who presented her findings at the inaugural National Research Conference at the University of Pennsylvania.
Titled “The Impact of Synthetic Grasses and Artificial Turf on the Presence of PAHs, Lead, and Public Health Risk Factors: A Systematic Literature Review,” the study is about more than athletes playing in stadiums, said author Husena Rajkotwala, a senior majoring in public health.
“The average person comes into contact with artificial turf more often than they probably know,’’ she said. “It’s important that they understand what the implications of coming into contact with synthetic grass on such a frequent basis can lead to.’’
The study addresses not just artificial turf in sports settings, but most any surface made from recycled rubber or other materials, such as door mats, artificial landscaping, golf courses, and most notably, children’s playgrounds where protective padding has been installed.
Rajkotwala’s research drew data from a systematic collection of peer reviewed articles on the subject. She worked with fellow student Katelynn Paciorek, an environmental science major at USF, in gathering information, with support from the Undergraduate Research Society.
Husena Rajkotwala, pictured second from left. (Photo courtesy of Rajkotwala)
“I got involved with this project because I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and do research for a conference outside of USF,’’ Paciorek said. “Husena and I picked this topic to intertwine my passion for environmental science and her passion for public health into a project that truly means something.’’
The two found numerous reports stating that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in these synthetic materials may influence the risk of cancer in people.
“Recent investigations (in the literature) have indicated that synthetic grass may contain several variations of microplastics and hazardous chemicals that pose significant risk to human health,’’ the report states. “Exposure to elevated levels of PAHs is a major concern.’’
Many artificial or synthetic products used for turf or flooring come from scrap car and truck tires, known as “rubber crumb.’’ This material contains a range of heavy metals, such as lead, that volatize into the air, leach into rainwater and can be absorbed into a person’s digestive tract, according to the study.
Artificial turf and other forms of synthetic flooring contain hundreds of chemicals, notes the non-profit advocacy group Clean Water Action. These include:
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs): Also known as "forever chemicals,’’ they can persist in the environment and in the body for years or decades. They are immune distruptors that have been linked to cancer, immune system issues, thyroid problems and more.
- Other chemicals: Benzene, arsenic, styrene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), zinc, cadmium, chromium, phthalates and more. Some of these chemicals are known carcinogens, while others are neurotoxicants or endocrine disruptors.
According to the Synthetic Turf Council, the average athletic field uses 400,000 pounds of infill and 40,000 pounds of artificial turf carpet. There is no known way to recycle artificial turf, so it must be buried or burned, contaminating the environment with PFAs and other toxins. Although the Environmental Protection Agency monitors toxins in synthetic materials, most are under the agency’s “cancer risk threshold.’’
“We were surprised to find how many different guidelines have been put into place by governments all around the world about how many carcinogens can exist in turf,’’ Rajkotwala said. “We were also surprised to find how these guidelines are often ignored.’’
She plans to keep studying the issue after she graduates from USF in May, having secured a position for a four-month summer internship with the Association of Public Health Laboratories.
“I’d like to keep working on this topic going forward,’’ she said. “I believe that eventually the next step would be to conduct field research. This would entail collecting samples from the field and testing them.’’
Paciorek said she also is motivated to pursue the subject further.
“I believe the research we did for this conference is important because it puts into question the safety of something that we have been exposed to our entire lives,’’ she said. “Our results are important because they show that the safety of many modern innovations around us cannot always be guaranteed and must be tested. Further research diving into these potential hazards will not only protect public health, but also the environment.’’
What can the average person do to avoid excessive exposure to artificial turfs or coverings? Clean Water Action offers the following guidelines:
- Avoid playing on synthetic turf on very hot days
- Always wear shoes on synthetic turf
- Wash hands before eating, drinking, or adjusting sports mouth guards
- Avoid using it for passive activities such as sitting, lounging and picnicking
- Ensure good ventilation of indoor fields by opening doors and windows
- Monitor young children to prevent accidental ingestion
- Clean any cuts and abrasions with soap and water
- Brush hair thoroughly after play
- Shake out sports equipment and clothes outside or over the garbage
- At home, take off shoes before entering to avoid tracking in crumb rubber
- Shower immediately after playing on artificial turf
- Vacuum any infill that comes into your home