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TextSynthetic Turf Fields, Fairfax County Park Authority
Fact Sheet on Synthetic Turf Used in Athletic Fields
Synthetic turf fields using crumb rubber have been installed and used in many athletic and playing fields throughout Fairfax County, the United States and the world. Currently Fairfax County Public Schools and Parks have 48 rectangular athletic fields composed of synthetic turf material. Questions have been raised about potential health, safety, and environmental effects from the use of synthetic turf. This fact sheet was prepared in consultation with the Fairfax County Health Department, Fairfax County Risk Management Division, Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County Park Authority to provide information on research conducted by numerous state and national organizations who have studied these issues.
Q: Why is synthetic turf used in Fairfax County?
A: Starting in the early 2000’s the Park Authority along with other
organizations in the County that provide athletic facilities began
looking at alternatives to natural turf fields to meet the growing demand
for use of athletic fields throughout the County.
Synthetic turf is a man-made product and is mostly installed in fields
that are heavily used. Synthetic turf fields are used in Fairfax County
because they:
- Provide even playing surfaces
- Provide similar playing conditions to natural turf fields
- Need no watering or mowing
- Use no fertilizers or pesticides
- Can be used year-round and in most weather
- Do not need to be closed to protect or re-sod grass
- Have a significant life cycle with reduced maintenance
Q: What are synthetic turf fields made of?
A: Synthetic turf fields installed in Fairfax County have been
constructed using a synthetic carpet material that mimics natural grass
along with a crumb rubber infill or sand/crumb rubber infill mixture and
subsurface drainage systems. Synthetic turf fields are made of the
following materials:
- A subsurface drainage layer composed of crushed stones with plastic tubing for drainage.
- A top layer composed of plastic mesh with soft, plastic strands that resemble blades of grass.
- Crumb rubber infill, made from recycled tires, is added to the top layer to provide padding and keep the grass upright. Sand is sometimes mixed with the crumb rubber.
Q: What chemicals can be found in the synthetic turf crumb
rubber?
A: The crumb rubber used in synthetic turf is mainly composed of
recycled tires, which contain man-made and natural rubber. Based on the
review of research studies and reports, certain chemicals have been
identified in crumb rubber. These include small amounts of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy
metals such as zinc, iron, manganese and lead.
Q: Can people be exposed to the chemicals found in crumb
rubber?
A: To date, studies on the release of chemicals from crumb rubber have
reported very low concentration of chemical exposure. Although the
potential for health effects due to exposure to chemicals in crumb rubber
is very low, there are three possible ways for people to have contact
with these chemicals on artificial turf fields:
- Accidentally ingesting small amounts of crumb rubber by putting fingers in the mouth or not washing hands before eating after playing on the fields
- Breathing in dust and vapors while playing on the fields. Crumb rubber may become dust as it wears and the rubber may give off some vapors.
- Direct skin contact with the crumb rubber.
Q: Are any health effects associated with these chemicals found
in synthetic turf crumb rubber?
A: The health and safety aspects of synthetic turf have been reviewed
and addressed by many national and state organizations, including the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and numerous state agencies in California, Connecticut, New
Jersey, and New York. They generally conclude that health effects
are unlikely from exposure to the levels of chemicals found in synthetic
turf and that these fields do not pose a serious public health concern.
Specifically, a review of the available information on crumb rubber
by the New York Department of Health indicates that ingestion, dermal, or
inhalation exposures to chemicals in or released from crumb rubber do not
pose a significant public health concern. A multi-agency report
from the State of Connecticut concluded that the use of outdoor and
indoor artificial turf fields is not associated with elevated health
risk. Studies and reviews conducted by the California Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found that synthetic turf fields
do not represent a serious human health risk with regard to the
inhalation of chemicals or particulates above these fields. These
studies indicate that at much higher levels, these chemicals can cause
serious health effects. Some PAHs may pose a cancer risk for people
exposed to high levels for long periods. VOCs can cause eye, nose,
throat, and skin irritation. In young children,
exposure to lead may cause learning and behavioral problems and lowered
intelligence.
Q: Can people be exposed to these chemicals from other
sources?
A: The PAHs and VOCs found in crumb rubber are very common in the urban
environment. People can be exposed by breathing or eating or by getting
dirt or dust on their skin. Rubber dust from car tires is a source of
urban air pollution and soil pollution. PAHs are present in exhaust,
smoke, soot, urban soil and char-broiled foods. VOCs are released into
the air from gasoline, paint, building materials and many other sources.
Lead is commonly found in soil and dust in the urban environment because,
in the past, it was used in paint, gasoline and many other products.
Q: Does the heat generated by synthetic turf pose a health risk
to users?
A: Like asphalt, the crumb rubber in synthetic turf fields absorbs heat
from the sun and gets hotter than dirt or natural grass. On hot days,
some synthetic turf fields may be too hot to play on. To protect yourself
from the heat, health officials have recommended that you take the
following precautions: drink lots of water, wear light and loose fitting
clothes, always wear shoes, take breaks often, and exercise moderately.
If you experience symptoms of heat related illness, such as dizziness,
weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting or muscle cramps, move to a shaded
area, drink water and rest. Seek medical attention if you do not feel
better. It is especially important that adults supervising children take
precautions on hot days.
Q: Are people who play on synthetic turf fields at risk of
bacterial skin infections?
A: Bacterial skin infections, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus
(MRSA), have not been shown to be caused by synthetic turf fields. A
multi-agency report to the California state legislature stated that the
number of skin abrasions suffered on synthetic turf fields was greater
than on natural turf fields, but the severity of the abrasions did not
differ. The report found synthetic turf fields to harbor fewer
bacterial species and a smaller number of live bacteria than natural turf
fields.
MRSA has not been proven to be caused by synthetic turf field
contact. Bacterial skin infections among athletes are due mainly to
physical contact and sharing contaminated towels or sports equipment.
Coaches and players should be aware of the potential for MRSA
transmission and infection among athletes. All skin cuts or
abrasions should be washed with soap and water and covered immediately.
School athletic departments and sports leagues, should use good hygienic
practices and prohibit the sharing of towels and equipment that rubs
against bare skin.
Q: Should people continue to use synthetic turf fields with
crumb rubber?
A: Regular physical activity is one of the most important parts of a
healthy lifestyle. Synthetic turf fields allow access to open spaces for
sports and physical activities. After any outdoor activity health
organizations recommend that people should wash their hands before eating
or drinking. On very hot days, users should limit activities, take rest
breaks and drink water.
Q: What preventive measures can be taken to further reduce
potential health and safety concerns of synthetic turf
fields?
A: Hand-washing after using the field, especially before eating;
discouraging eating while on the field; and monitoring for potential
heat-related illness are recommended measures for minimizing potential
risks associated with synthetic turf fields.
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: The following links provide additional information and details on the
health assessment of synthetic turf fields:
- New York City Department of Health Artificial (Synthetic) Turf Fact Sheet: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/eode/eode-turf.shtml
- New York City Department of Health Air Quality Survey Of Synthetic Turf Fields: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/eode/turf_aqs_report0409.pdf
- New York City Department of Health Review of the Potential Health and Safety Risks From Synthetic Turf Fields: www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/eode/turf_report_05-08.pdf
- Connecticut Department of Public Health Human Health Risk Assessment of Artificial Turf Fields: www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/artificialturf/dph_artificial_turf_report.pdf
- New York State Health Department Crumb-Rubber Infilled Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields Fact Sheet: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/synthetic_turf/crumb-rubber_infilled/fact_sheet.htm
- Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering Committee Report: Peer Review of an Evaluation of the Health and Environmental Impacts Associated with Synthetic Turf Playing Fields: www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/artificialturf/case_artificial_turf_review_report.pdf
- California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery Report to the Legislature on Health Impacts of Outdoor Artificial and Natural Turf Fields: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/publications/documents/tires/2011007.pdf
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Scoping-Level Field Monitoring Study of Synthetic Turf Fields and Playgrounds: www.epa.gov/nerl/download_files/documents/tire_crumbs.pdf
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