advertisement
8 January 2024
Artificial turf offers undeniable advantages, especially in water-scarce regions like Arizona, where it conserves this precious resource. However, beneath the surface of vibrant green lawns lie environmental concerns that are causing scientists to raise their eyebrows. While many local facilities, including football fields, playgrounds, and residences, have already embraced artificial turf, the mass adoption of this synthetic alternative could lead to unforeseen ecological problems.
A recent study by the National Nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has brought troubling issues to light. Artificial turf has been found to release per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” into the soil and adjacent wetlands or water bodies. This release poses serious environmental risks.
Furthermore, artificial turf creates an impervious surface that hinders the natural soil’s ability to support insects and breathe. This surface significantly raises ground temperatures, contributing to localized heat islands, which can become so scorching that they have been known to melt tennis shoes.
Studies also reveal that the water required to cool artificial turf on a hot day can surpass the water needs of certain natural grasses in similar conditions. Unfortunately, this cooling effect is transient, lasting just around 20 minutes. Moreover, artificial turf sheds plastic fibers into the environment as a source of plastic pollution. Recent research found that more than 15% of mesoplastics and macroplastics in nearby bodies of water were composed of artificial turf fibers.
Adding to the concerns, PFAS have been detected in artificial turf. Originally discovered in 2019 by PEER and The Ecology Center, these chemicals serve various purposes in artificial turf production, including aiding plastic extrusion and enhancing resistance to heat, stains, and water. Due to their resilient carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS are categorized as “forever chemicals” and do not readily degrade in the environment.
PFAS have been associated with a range of health issues, including cancer, developmental problems in infants and children, fertility and pregnancy complications, disruption of human hormones, and immune system disorders. These immune system effects are particularly disconcerting in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive toxicity studies have consistently linked PFAS to these adverse health outcomes.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed regulatory limits for six PFAS, asserting that there is no safe dose for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. Artificial turf poses a multifaceted problem by exposing athletes and children who play on these surfaces to PFAS through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. Furthermore, PFAS leach into surrounding waters, potentially contaminating drinking water supplies.
In response to these alarming findings, PEER has initiated a national campaign advocating for the ban of artificial turf to safeguard public health and protect the environment. Collaborating with scientists, school authorities, and concerned parents, this effort seeks to address these critical issues posed by artificial turf.
advertisement
Tucson is taking a bold new step to support its most vulnerable residents. The city has announced plans to create its first city-sanctioned outdoor sleep area, named Star Village, aimed at providing unhoused Tucsonans with a safe place to sleep at night. advertisement A New Approach to Homelessness For many people living on Tucson’s streets, “home” is constantly shifting. Park clear-outs, law enforcement patrols, severe weather, or conflicts can force unhoused residents to move frequently. City officials hope Star Village will provide not just shelter but stability, a stepping stone toward permanent housing. “This was a really bold step,” said
Living in Arizona means accepting a fundamental truth: as one desert dweller puts it, “everything in the desert hates you.” The Sonoran Desert’s plant life seems designed to leave its mark on anyone who dares to venture too close. But what happens when these prickly cactus encounters become unavoidable, and how do you deal with the aftermath? advertisement The Reality of Arizona’s Cactus Encounters Jumping Cholla Despite its name, jumping cholla doesn’t actually jump. However, its segments are so loosely attached and the barbed spines so effective at grabbing onto anything that brushes against them, it certainly seems like an
When it comes to historical facts, Arizona is known for its Wild West days. However, Arizona holds a treasure trove of fascinating stories. Let’s dive into some of the coolest historical facts about Arizona that you may not know. advertisement 1. Phoenix Was Almost Named “Pumpkinville.” (Sort of) In the mid-1800s, when settlers first arrived in Phoenix, they found fields of pumpkins growing where the Hohokam Native tribes had once established an intricate system of canals. These canals had been built to irrigate crops, and when settlers came across them, they were impressed by the thriving agriculture in the region.
The “Wild West” period, often romanticized in literature and films, spanned only around 30 years, from roughly 1865 to 1895. This era is usually portrayed as chaotic, lawless, and filled with gunfights, cattle rustlers, and prospectors. But what made this period so unique and distinct from earlier years of westward expansion? Was it truly more wild than the decades that preceded it? And why does the end of the Civil War in 1865 seem to mark a significant turning point in this legendary chapter of American history? advertisement The Pre-Wild West: Westward Expansion Before 1865 Before the Civil War, the
advertisement
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |