Concerns raised on toxic chemicals in synthetic turf fields
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| A soccer game on the turf field at Pine Ridge Park in Annandale. |
Every day, kids and adults throughout Northern Virginia play
soccer, football, and lacrosse on athletic fields with artificial turf. Yet few
people are aware of the toxic materials in these fields.
soccer, football, and lacrosse on athletic fields with artificial turf. Yet few
people are aware of the toxic materials in these fields.
A group of parents, several of whom are
scientists, have formed the Safe and Healthy Fields Coalition to spread the
word about the mounting evidence of the health risks in these fields and are urging the Fairfax County to
stop putting them in, at least until more detailed studies are carried out.
scientists, have formed the Safe and Healthy Fields Coalition to spread the
word about the mounting evidence of the health risks in these fields and are urging the Fairfax County to
stop putting them in, at least until more detailed studies are carried out.
Despite the concerns, sports leagues, school athletic
directors, and booster clubs are calling for more synthetic
turf fields. The main advantage of turf fields is the opportunity for more
playing time. Grass fields can
be out of commission for days after a heavy rain, while turf fields, due to
better drainage, can be used immediately.
There are more than 40 turf fields in Fairfax County, including
Mason District Park and Pine Ridge Park in Annandale. The park bond on the Nov.
6 ballot would fund at least five more, including another one at Pine Ridge.
Mason District Park and Pine Ridge Park in Annandale. The park bond on the Nov.
6 ballot would fund at least five more, including another one at Pine Ridge.
Synthetic fields are made of ground-up used tires, called
“tire crumbs,” which contain dozens of chemicals, including some that are known
pathogens. A substance used in tire manufacture called “carbon black” is known
to cause cancer and pulmonary disease.
There are studies showing the fields are safe, but they were
funded by the industry. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency that failed
to find turf fields hazardous was inadequate, says Amy Stephan of Great Falls, a founding
member of the Safe and Health Fields Coalition. “They didn’t look at the whole toxicological picture,” she says.
funded by the industry. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency that failed
to find turf fields hazardous was inadequate, says Amy Stephan of Great Falls, a founding
member of the Safe and Health Fields Coalition. “They didn’t look at the whole toxicological picture,” she says.
Among studies that did find cause for concern is a research report by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station that identified many toxic
chemicals in tires, including butylated hydroxyanisole and benzene, which are recognized carcinogens.
chemicals in tires, including butylated hydroxyanisole and benzene, which are recognized carcinogens.
There is a lot more information about the hazards in synthetic turf in a video, featuring interviews with scientists, and on this
website. One problem cited by researchers: Tiny particles of tire crumbs can be ingested or inhaled.
website. One problem cited by researchers: Tiny particles of tire crumbs can be ingested or inhaled.
A study by Environment and Human Health concluded, “There is enough information now concerning the
potential health effects from chemicals emanating from rubber tire crumbs to
place a moratorium on installing any new fields or playgrounds that use
ground-up rubber tires until additional research is undertaken.”
potential health effects from chemicals emanating from rubber tire crumbs to
place a moratorium on installing any new fields or playgrounds that use
ground-up rubber tires until additional research is undertaken.”
Another problem with the fields is they get much hotter than
grass or even asphalt. The highest temperature ever recorded on a turf field on
a hot, sunny day was 190 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to a maximum of 112
degrees on a grass field.
grass or even asphalt. The highest temperature ever recorded on a turf field on
a hot, sunny day was 190 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to a maximum of 112
degrees on a grass field.
On a day when the outdoor temperature was 84 degrees,
Stephan recorded a temperature of 164 degrees on a turf field where her son’s
football team was practicing. “Three or four kids were throwing up on the side
of the field, but none of the coaches stopped the practice and none of the
parents complained,” she says.
A group called Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue
heat guidelines to protect children and athletes from overly hot turf fields.
heat guidelines to protect children and athletes from overly hot turf fields.
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| A turf field at Mason District Park. |
Among the hazards cited by PEER are “off-gassing of
dangerous vapors from carbon black, lead, mercury, and an array of other
toxins,” as well as heat stroke and blistering, even through shoes. “As fields heat, noxious materials can be absorbed in gases
that can become 10 to 20 times more toxic than the materials themselves,” the group states.
dangerous vapors from carbon black, lead, mercury, and an array of other
toxins,” as well as heat stroke and blistering, even through shoes. “As fields heat, noxious materials can be absorbed in gases
that can become 10 to 20 times more toxic than the materials themselves,” the group states.
“We think it’s worse
than asbestos,” Stephan says. “Grass is safer on every level, as long as
fertilizers are applied properly.”
than asbestos,” Stephan says. “Grass is safer on every level, as long as
fertilizers are applied properly.”
There is some indication county officials are beginning to take
notice, although no one has gone so far as to call for a moratorium on new turf
fields.
notice, although no one has gone so far as to call for a moratorium on new turf
fields.
At the Sept. 12 meeting of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, Frank Vajda (Mason) requested more information about the environmental
impact of turf fields. At-large member Marie Reinsdorf called for an evaluation of the benefits and
potential hazards of turf fields. She suggested the county follow the lead of
the New York City Health Department, which outlines on its website the concerns
raised about turf fields and what has been done to monitor them and reduce the
hazards.
impact of turf fields. At-large member Marie Reinsdorf called for an evaluation of the benefits and
potential hazards of turf fields. She suggested the county follow the lead of
the New York City Health Department, which outlines on its website the concerns
raised about turf fields and what has been done to monitor them and reduce the
hazards.
At a public comment meeting on the upcoming park bond, several
people spoke out against turf fields, citing the health dangers from tire
crumbs. Similar comments were submitted via email to the Park Authority.
people spoke out against turf fields, citing the health dangers from tire
crumbs. Similar comments were submitted via email to the Park Authority.
Fairfax County has convened a Turf Task Force to come up
with a better, more equitable policy for funding new turf fields and maintaining
and replacing existing ones—but the group has not been charged with addressing health
issues.
with a better, more equitable policy for funding new turf fields and maintaining
and replacing existing ones—but the group has not been charged with addressing health
issues.
“I haven’t seen any
studies showing toxic chemicals on the fields or any studies that show these
fields are bad,” says task force member Harold Leff, chairman of the Fairfax County Athletic Council. “If there are health issues, we would certainly look
into it.”
studies showing toxic chemicals on the fields or any studies that show these
fields are bad,” says task force member Harold Leff, chairman of the Fairfax County Athletic Council. “If there are health issues, we would certainly look
into it.”
The Turf Task Force also includes representatives from the
Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), Fairfax County Public
Schools, the Park Authority, and the Board of Supervisors.
Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), Fairfax County Public
Schools, the Park Authority, and the Board of Supervisors.
Currently, funding comes from the “the 550 fund” (the $5.50
fee collected from each player on a team), booster clubs, athletic leagues, the
park authority, and the county. Athletic clubs that pay for turf fields are
required to sign an agreement with the county allowing other groups to use
them.
fee collected from each player on a team), booster clubs, athletic leagues, the
park authority, and the county. Athletic clubs that pay for turf fields are
required to sign an agreement with the county allowing other groups to use
them.
Turf fields cost $800,000 on average and last about eight to
12 years, says Chris Leonard, director of NCS, which is in charge of scheduling
community use on turf fields in county parks and on public school grounds.
12 years, says Chris Leonard, director of NCS, which is in charge of scheduling
community use on turf fields in county parks and on public school grounds.
They are less costly to maintain than grass fields, but not
by much. Although turf fields don’t have to be mowed or watered, they do have
to be raked and vacuumed, Leff says. “The difference in maintenance costs is
negligible. I don’t think we’re saving a whole lot of money. We are saving a
lot of down time.”
by much. Although turf fields don’t have to be mowed or watered, they do have
to be raked and vacuumed, Leff says. “The difference in maintenance costs is
negligible. I don’t think we’re saving a whole lot of money. We are saving a
lot of down time.”
Because turf fields have better drainage, they can provide up
to 63 percent more playing time than grass fields, which can’t be used until
they dry out, he says. That’s important because “there’s a finite amount of
land in the county,” he says. “We’re running out of space for new fields, and
we can get a lot more usable time on turf fields.”
to 63 percent more playing time than grass fields, which can’t be used until
they dry out, he says. That’s important because “there’s a finite amount of
land in the county,” he says. “We’re running out of space for new fields, and
we can get a lot more usable time on turf fields.”
One response to “Concerns raised on toxic chemicals in synthetic turf fields”
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yikes! The turf field at Baileys Elementary School is also our kids' playground.