What Do the Experts Say?
As the popularity of synthetic turf escalates, so does scrutiny about its usage. That’s why we actively collect research and studies from independent, third-party organization about synthetic turf and its components. Review the latest thinking below from outside groups and our association.
Synthetic Turf Council - Media Alerts, News Releases and Position Statements
Official Position Statements - Regulatory Agencies, Sports Authorities, Academic Organizations
Current and Independent Research, Technical and Academic Papers:
Current and Independent Research, Technical Academic Papers
Environmental and Health Risk
“Review of the Impacts of Crumb Rubber in Artificial Turf Applications”
University of California, Berkeley, February 2010
Laboratory for Manufacturing and Sustainability
Prepared for: The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex)
“The research conducted by Manex and Berkeley is among the most comprehensive reports to date, reviewing and assessing existing studies from the past 12 years, as well as containing independent analysis. The conclusions of this study validate key findings from other recent studies, demonstrating the materials are both cost-effective and safe." From Manex/UC Berkeley Press Release posted April 5, 2010. Click here for full Press Release.
"A Scoping-Level Field Monitoring Study of Synthetic Turf Fields and Playgrounds"
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, November 2009
This study and statements of safety by the U.S. EPA of synthetic turf fields and playgrounds containing crumb rubber from recycled tires complements the study and statement of safety by the CPSC in 2008 (see below). In its Press Release, the EPA summarized its findings, including the following:
- The levels of particulate matter, metals, and volatile organice compound concentrations in the air samples above the synthetic turf were similar to background levels;
- All air concentrations of particulate matter and lead were well below levels of concern;
- Zinc, which is a known additive in tires,…was found to be below levels of concern.
See December 10, 2009 EPA Press Release, “Limited EPA Study Finds Low Level of Concern in Samples of Recycled Tires from Ballfield and Playground Surfaces”
"Chemicals and Particulates in the Air Above the New Generation of Artificial Turf Playing Fields, and Artificial Turf as a Risk Factor for Infection by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylcoccus Aureus (MRSA)"
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, July 2009
There is a negligible human health risk from inhaling the air above synthetic turf, and, though data gaps exist, it is “unlikely that the new generation of artificial turf is itself a source of MRSA….” (Significantly the OEHHA did not review the January 2009 results of the study into the lifespan of staph on grass and synthetic turf sponsored by the STC and the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council - see below.) The OEHHA summary of the results is posted on its website. The full report includes an important Addendum that references reports by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health (May 2009) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (March 2009) - see below.
"An Assessment of Chemical Leaching, Releases to Air and Temperature at Crumb-Rubber Infilled Synthetic Fields"
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New Your State Department of Health, May 2009
In its Press Release, the NYSDEC announced that this new comprehensive study concludes that crumb rubber infilled synthetic fields "poses no significant environmental threat to air or water quality and poses no significant health concerns."
"Air Quality Survey of Synthetic Turf Fields Containing Crumb Rubber Infill"
TRC, March 2009. Prepared for NY City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
"In summary, an analysis of the air in the breathing zones of children above synthetic turf fields do not show appreciable impacts from COPCs [Contaminants of Potential Concern] contained in the crumb rubber. Therefore, a risk assessment was not warranted from the inhalation route of exposure." Of 69 VOCs, 17 PAHs, including Benzothiazole, 10 metals, and a range of particulate matter tested, the COPCs that were detected in the ambient air samples above the crumb rubber synthetic turf fields were found in similar concentrations in the air samples above the grass field and the background locations.
“CPSC Staff Finds Synthetic Turf Fields OK to Install, OK to Play On,”
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, NEWS from CPSC, July 30, 2008
The CPSC staff conducted tests of synthetic turf products for analysis of total lead content and accessible lead. In the above News Release it concludes that, “young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields.”
For a summary of the analytical methods used and the test results, see “CPSC Staff Analysis and Assessment of Synthetic Turf ‘Grass Blades”
"A Review of the Potential Health and Safety Risks from Synthetic Turf Fields Containing Crumb Rubber Infill"
Prepared for New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene by TRC, May 2008
A comprehensive 180-page review of available scientific literature and research on synthetic turf with crumb rubber infill covering such topics as chemical composition and human health risks from crumb rubber infill, risks of physical injury, heat-related illness, staph, etc. A summary of the available research is also included.
"Review of the Human Health & Ecological Safety of Exposure to Recycled Tire Rubber found at Playgrounds and Synthetic Turf Fields"
Prepared for Rubber Manufacturers Association by ChemRisk, Inc., July 17, 2008
A report by an independent environmental firm on the human health and ecological risks from ground rubber in playgrounds and sports fields, and based on a thorough review of studies from advocates and opponents to the use of recycled tire materials.
"Environmental Effects of Synthetic Turf Athletics Fields"
Milone & MacBroom, December 2008
HEAT: On hot sunny days, surface temp of the fibers was 40-50 degrees hotter than ambient temp; air temp at 2’ above surface or under cloud cover was near ambient. Crumb rubber was only a few degrees hotter than ambient. Watering the field had a short-term effect.
OFF-GASSING: EHHI identified certain compounds of concern in its very limited 2007 laboratory study of the chemicals contained in crumb rubber – benzothiazole, volatile nitrosamines, and 4-(tert-octyl) Phenol. MMI tested for these compounds in the air above the synthetic turf fields with crumb rubber infill at several locations. A “very low concentration” of benzothiazole was found at 1 of 2 fields -- the other compounds were not detected.
LEACHING: Testing done over 1 year period. Test for zinc, lead, selenium, and cadmium, and compared to lowest aquatic life criterion for each element. Only zinc detected, and then well below water quality standard.
"Follow-up Study of the Environmental Aspects of Rubber Infill, A Laboratory study (perform weathering tests) and a field study, rubber crumb from car tyres as infill on artificial turf"
INTRON, commissioned by two tyre associations, and supervised by the National Institute for Public Health and Environment and by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment in the Netherlands, April 2008
"The impact of weathering of the rubber crumb for the technical lifetime of an artificial turf field (approx. 10 to 15 years) does not cause the leaching of zinc from the rubber crumb...to exceed the threshold values..."
Environmental and Health Evaluation of the Use of Elastomer Granulates (Virgin and from Used Tyres) as Filling in Third-Generation Artificial Turf"
Author: Dr. Robert Moretto (EEDEMS) 1 ADEME/ALIAPUR/FIELDTURF TARKETT 2007
Scientific long-term study for French organizations
Study of quality of water passing through SBR, TPE and EPDM granules, and of gases emitted by the sports fields. No impact from these materials on water resources; no effect on health from inhaling VOC and aldehydes emitted by materials in close, poorly ventilated indoor facility or outdoors; ecotoxicologically, no impact on the environment. Extensive bibliography.
"Evaluation of Health Effects of Recycled Waste Tires in Playground and Track Products"
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of California EPA, January 2007
Evaluation of toxicity due to ingestion based on existing literature - risk is well below de minimus level considered an acceptable cancer risk.
Evaluation of toxicity due to ingestion based on gastric digestion simulation - same as above.
Evaluation of toxicity due to chronic hand-to-surface-to-mouth activity -low risk of adverse noncancer health effects. Slightly higher than de minimus level for chronic ingestion of chrysene, but low enough to be considered an acceptable cancer risk.
Skin sensitization - no sensitization observed.
Evaluating the potential for damage to the local environment and ecology - soil samples under a playground surface burned in a fire contained levels of metals, VOCs, PAHs, dioxins and furans at or below background, suggesting low risk. Air above the burn site was judged by the U.S. EPA as posing no health risk. Concentrated leachate from tire shreds produced in a lab was toxic to several organisms, but a rain event would not likely produce leachate in such concentrations to cause toxicity to these organisms. Shredded tires used above the ground water table produced no toxicity in sentinel species.
Staph / MRSA
“Survival of Staphylococcus aureus on Synthetic Turf”
By Andy McNitt, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Soil Science, Penn State University
December 2008. A research project funded by the Synthetic Turf Council and the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council.
A study to examine the survival of S. aureus on infilled synthetic turf systems and natural turfgrass under different environmental conditions and to evaluate the effectiveness of various control agents applied to the synthetic turf.
S. aureus survived for as long on natural turfgrass as it did on synthetic turf systems in both indoor and outdoor settings. S. aureus lived longest indoors, but can be effectively treated with commercially available antimicrobial treatments as well as detergents. Outdoors S. aureus has a very low rate of survival, particularly when exposed to UV light and higher temperatures.
"Environmental Management of Staph and MRSA in Community Settings"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2008
"A Survey of Microbial Populations in Infilled Synthetic Turf Fields"
By Andy McNitt, Ph.D., Associate of Professor of Soil Science, Penn State University, and Dianne Petrunak, M.S., and Thomas Serensits, M.S.
June 2007
A survey to determine the microbial population of several crumb rubber infilled synthetic turf systems and natural turfgrass fields.
Official Statement on Community-Acrquired MRSA Infections (CA-MRSA)
National Athletic Trainers' Association, March 1, 2005
Risk of Injury
“Risk of injury in elite football played on artificial turf versus natural grass: a prospective two-cohort study”
J Ekstrand, T Timpka, M Hagglund
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2006; 40:975-980
Objective: “To compare injury risk in elite football [soccer] played on artificial turf compared with natural grass.”
Conclusion: “No evidence of a greater risk of injury was found when football was played on artificial turf compared with natural grass. The higher incidence of ankle sprain on artificial turf warrants further attention, although this result should be interpreted with caution as the number of ankle sprains was low.”
“Risk of injury on artificial turf and natural grass in young female football [soccer] players”
Kathrin Steffen, Thor Einar Andersen, Roald Bahr
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2007; 41:i33-i37
Abstract available at http://bjsm.bmj.com
Objective: “To investigate the risk of injury on artificial turf compared with natural grass among young female football [soccer] players.”
Conclusion: “In the present study among young female football [soccer] players, the overall risk of acute injury was similar between artificial turf and natural grass.”
“Comparison of the incidence, nature and cause of injuries sustained on grass and new generation artificial turf by male and female football players”
Colin W Fuller, Randall W Dick, Jill Corlette, Rosemary Schmalz
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2007; 41 (Supplement 1):i20-i26 (Part 1: match injuries)
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2007; 41 (Supplement 1):i27-i32 (Part 2: training injuries)
Abstracts available at http://bjsm.bmj.com
Objective: “To compare the incidence, nature, severity and cause of match injuries (Part 1) and training injuries (Part 2) sustained on grass and new generation turf by male and female footballers.”
Methods: The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System was used for a two-season (August to December) prospective study of American college and university football teams (2005 season: men 52 teams, women 64 teams; 2006 season: men 54 teams, women 72 teams).
Conclusion of both Part 1 and Part 2: There were no major differences in the incidence, severity, nature or cause of match injuries or training injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and grass by either male or female players.
General Information
"Evaluation of Playing Surface Characteristics of Various In-Filled Systems"
By Andy McNitt, Associate Professor of Soil Science, Penn State University, and Dianne Petrunak
December 2006
Table of Contents reflects the scope of the research:
The research:
- Introduction and Objectives
- Construction of Experimental Area
- Characterization of Infill Systems
- Simulated Foot Traffic and Grooming
- Surface Hardness (G-Max)
- Infill Media and Underlying Pad
- Traction
- Abrasion
- Microbial Populations in Synthetic Turf
- Temperature and Color
- Summary and Considerations
F. Other Relevant Studies
"Evaluation of Potential Environmental Risks Associated with Installing Synthetic Turf Fields on Bainbridge Island"
D. Michael Johns, Ph.D., Windward Environmental LLC, Seattle, WA, February 2008
Review of available scientific literature and publications in order to provide an assessment about potential risks to the environment from zinc and chemicals contained in crumb rubber infill. "...water that percolates through turf fields with tire crumb is not toxic..."
"Initial Evaluation of Potential Human Health Risks Associated with Playing on Synthetic Turf Fields on Bainbridge Island"
D. Michael Johns, Ph.D., Windward Environmental LLC, Seattle, WA, January 2008
Review of available scientific literature and publications in order to provide an assessment about potential risks of human health to children and teenagers and the risks to the environment from precipitation runoff.
"Ambient Air Sampling for PAH's, Comsewogue High School Football Field"
"Ambient Air Sampling for PAH's, Schreiber High School Football Field"
Broderick & Associates, Inc., October 2007
In response to a news report that the above fields had three cancer-causing chemicals that were in excess of state (NY) safety levels, this independent environmental consulting and testing firm tested the fields to determine the potential routes of exposure for athletes, coaches, etc. using these fields. Broderick & Associates concluded that the potential for exposure to PAH’s (sometimes referred to as an exposure to out-gassing or off-gassing of chemicals from crumb rubber infill) is “minimal or insignificant.”
"Rubber - Its Implications to Environmental Health"
A FIFA presentation, Dr. Eric Harrison, Zurich, June 2007
Presentation on the chemical composition of SBR rubber and its health and environmental risks. Summary of relevant studies, and comments about the risks of SBR rubber relative to risks already present in the environment.
"Twenty Questions [and Answers] on Rubber Granulate"
Dr. Bryan B. Willoughby, March 2007
Prepared for the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA)
Q & A summary in layman's terms. Published in conjunction with British Standards Institute and SAPCA.
“Environmental and Health Risks of Rubber Infill, rubber crumb from car tyres as infill on artificial turf”
INTRON, commissioned by two tyre associations, and supervised by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment in the Netherlands, January 2007
“Based on the available literature on exposure to rubber crumb by swallowing, inhalation and skin contact and our experimental investigations on skin contract we conclude that there is not a significant health risk due to the presence of rubber infill…from used car tyres.”
"Synthetic Turf Sports Fields and the Environment"
Written to Westford Township (Mass) by John Amato, P.E., STC Certified Independent Consultant, 2007
Excellent and practical discussion on synthetic vs. natural turf.
"Rubber - Its Implications to Environmental Health (Hydrocarbon Rubbers)"
Dr. Bryan Willouby, Independent Consultant in Polymer Chemistry, 2006
Presented by Synthetic Turf Council at its November 2006 Annual Membership Meeting
Presentation of chemical analysis of SBR rubber, and the likelihood that leachate containing PAHs, benzene, phthalates and alkyphenols, and zinc present a health or environmental hazard. Zinc presents a localized environmental risk, but all other risks judged insignificant.
"Assessing the Health and Environmental Impact from the Use of End-of-Life Tire Rubber Crumb as Artificial Turf in Sports Arenas"
D.A. Birkholz, Director, Research & Development, ALS Laboratory Group, Edmonton, Alberta, October 18-20, 2006
Overview of various health and environmental questions, including exposure to carcinogenic PAHs, amines, and N-nitrosamines from skin contact and ingestion of toxic chemicals, leaching of toxic chemicals, releasing of toxic chemicals and particulates with use.
"Artificial turf pitches - an assessment of the health risks for football players and the environment" - A Summary
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, October 2006
Presentation by Dr. Christine Bjorge at the ISSS Technical Meeting 2006 in Dresden
See above. No elevated human health risk from use of indoor synthetic turf halls, from VOCs (more study needed), from benzene, from PAHs. Environmental risk is local. Perhaps risks from latex rubber, but not enough research.
"PAHs and Other Organics in Tyres - Origins and Potential for Release"
Dr. Bryan G. Willoughby, Independent Consultant in Polymer Chemistry, June 23, 2006
Summary of exposure risks from inhalation, leachates, and skin contact.
"Artificial turf pitches - an assessment of the health risks for football players"
Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Radium Hospital, Oslo, January 2006
Nine exposure scenarios - inhalation, skin, and oral exposures to adults, juniors, older children and children.
"Toxicological Evaluation for the Hazard Assessment of Tire Crumb for Use in Public Playgrounds"
Detlef A. Birkholtz, Enviro-Test Laboratories, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Kathy L. Belton, Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Tee L. Guidotti, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, July 2003
Oral ingestion - low hazard
Inhalation of toxic vapors - inconsequential and negligible
Dermal exposure - low overall hazard
Cancer hazard through ingestion - small amounts will not result in unacceptable hazard
Species - specific lethality from leachate - moderate toxic risk, but not significant
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