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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.
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