By Jennifer Siskind
Awareness of environmental toxins and their impacts on health is increasing. Carcinogens and PFAS surround us from a variety of sources, and many try to reduce exposures. Toxic products once commonplace in our lives have fallen out of favor. The prevalence of PFAS in non-stick cookware, food wrappers, cosmetics, sunscreens, stain and water-resistant products, and firefighting foam have gained widespread attention. Families, and the Town of Glastonbury, are removing products with PFAS and other carcinogenic chemicals from their homes and property.
The presence of PFAS and carcinogens in synthetic turf fields, however, needs more attention. It would be prudent for Glastonbury leaders and parents to understand all health and injury risks before moving forward to install another artificial turf field.
Public health toxicologists are sounding the alarm. Since installation of the artificial turf football field at GHS, important information has come to light. In response, a growing number of communities and professional organizations are halting further installation and use of synthetic turf fields.
All synthetic fields contain toxic PFAS compounds. These “forever chemicals” don’t break down and cause serious health issues linked to cancer, kidney and liver problems, immunity issues, birth defects and other problems. PFAS are used to make the plastic blades of grass and plastic liner. The infill material also contains a myriad of carcinogenic and toxic chemicals.
Yale University found ninety-two chemicals in turf made from recycled tires. Half of these chemicals have never been tested by any governmental agency, so no one knows if they are safe. Yale researchers found twenty-nine chemicals of concern. Nine are known carcinogens, and some cause damage to the central nervous system, are toxic to liver and kidneys, cause asthma, or may cause birth defects. Many of these chemicals are known to cause lung, eye, and skin irritation and are toxic to aquatic organisms. Heavy metals, including cadmium and lead, were also present.
Some turf installers claim to offer new, “safe” alternatives such as “virgin” rubber. However, any rubber made from petroleum products and toxic chemicals poses similar health risks. Another alternative are small pellets filled with silica. OSHA classifies silica as hazardous, as inhalation can cause lung scarring and severe disease. The product’s warranty states that only 70% of the silica will remain encapsulated. Wear and tear exposes the remaining 30% of silica, putting athletes at risk if inhaled. Synthetic infills are also coated with triclosan, a known hormone disrupter linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, which was banned from antibacterial soaps by the FDA. If we can’t wash our hands with it, it makes no sense to play on it.
Weather conditions, sunlight and usage break the materials into dust that can be inhaled and ingested. Players who dive, slide or are knocked to the ground are at greatest risk of exposure as their mouth, nose and skin make greater contact with chemical-laden particles. Ingestion can occur when players adjust their mouth guards and break for snacks, releasing toxic chemicals into athletes’ bodies. Toxins can be absorbed by the skin, and particles imbedded in abrasions. Chemicals and microplastics can also leach and run off into the surrounding area.
Recent studies show that playing on artificial turf results in more player injury. Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Sports Medicine Institute compared injury rates for male and female high school athletes across all sports. Medical records and reports from 26 high school athletic trainers during the 2017-2018 season showed athletes playing on artificial turf were 58% more likely to sustain injury than athletes playing on grass
NFL injury data from 2012-2018 show players on artificial turf have 28% higher non-contact injury to their lower extremities, with players also having a 32% increase in knee injuries and 69% increase in foot and ankle injuries. Player petitions and the NFL Players Association are urging elimination of 14 synthetic fields. No US Soccer teams play on artificial fields.
A study published last May in the American Journal of Sports Medicine looked at fifty-three research articles published between 1972-2020. Researchers found more foot and ankle injuries on both old and new-generation artificial turf fields compared to grass fields. Only a few articles reported higher injuries on grass fields, and all of those were funded by the artificial turf industry.
An October 2022 study suggests increased concussion risk. Researchers at the University of Hawaii rigged a mannequin with accelerometers, sensors on its head, and dropped it wearing a football helmet over 1,700 times on nineteen high school football fields. Every sensor measured significantly greater impact deceleration, or harder and sudden-stop impact, on synthetic turf compared to grass fields.
Glastonbury should consider whether moving forward with another turf field is in the best interests of students and our environment. A growing list of cities and towns across the US and European Union are limiting new installations, with PFAS contamination being a primary reason for Boston’s recent ban on artificial turf. Let’s support youth sports with significant improvements to natural grass fields instead of toxic, injury-inducing artificial ones.
TALK Environment Team seeks to promote conversations about the environment and climate change in our community. We encourage community writings for this column. If you have a related topic which you are passionate about, please send your ideas and suggestions for future articles to: prez@talk-action.org. All articles are archived on the TALK website https://talk-action.org.