Introduction to Artificial Turf Safety Concerns
Natalie Silva, a high school senior in Massachusetts, wants to play soccer in college, but she is still recovering from a right knee injury during a game over a year ago. Silva remembers colliding with an opposing player. As she fell, she heard her knee “pop” when her cleats got stuck in the turf on a field where her Uxbridge High School team was playing an away game.
The Injury and Its Aftermath
“I was playing on an indoor field where the turf is on top of concrete. If it was grass, there would’ve been more cushion,” claims Silva, 18, who goes to school about 50 miles southwest of Boston. She said she met with her doctor, who was concerned that her cleats were made for playing on grass, not turf. “The turf 100% played a role in my injury,” Silva said.
The Artificial Turf Industry
The multibillion-dollar artificial turf industry has convinced local governments and school boards that turf fields are a way to save money and increase playing time for young people. As hundreds of synthetic fields and playgrounds are installed at schools, colleges, and public parks in the U.S. every year, stakeholders from lawmakers to school boards and soccer moms are debating claims like Silva’s about the safety of playing on such surfaces.
Bans and Restrictions
Boston and Westport, Connecticut, have effectively banned turf that contains rubber from recycled tires due to concerns about exposure to chemicals. Vermont has passed restrictions, and in California, a reversal of a previous decision now allows local communities to impose bans.
Groups Concerned About Turf Safety
Groups like the NFL Players Association, and physical therapists and other clinicians believe playing on turf increases the risk of torn ligaments, sprained ankles, and other injuries.
Study on NFL Data
A study of NFL data released in 2024 found higher incidences of lower-extremity injuries on artificial turf than on natural grass. The odds of a serious injury requiring season-ending surgery were significantly higher, the study said.
Turf-Related Injuries
“ACL and ankle sprains are the main injuries we see from turf,” said HIDEF Physical Therapy founder Zach Smith, who works with athletes in Seattle as they recover from turf-related injuries. “The turf provides better grip and more friction,” he said. “Great for performance, but bad for joints.”
Safety Debate Mounts
Artificial turf — first widely introduced in the 1960s at the former domed stadium of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros — is made from plastics to mimic the look of grass. It typically contains tiny black pellets called “crumb rubber,” processed using shredded tires.
Prevalence of Artificial Turf
By 2020, there were 13,000 synthetic turf sports fields in the U.S., with about 1,500 installed annually, according to the National Recreation and Park Association. Nowadays, young people who participate in sports, from football to field hockey and lacrosse to soccer, are less likely to play on natural grass than on artificial turf, also called synthetic grass, synthetic turf, or astroturf.
Industry Response
The Synthetic Turf Council, a leading industry trade group, did not return calls and emails to answer questions about chemical hazards and injuries. But the industry has pointed to research showing no definitive link between artificial turf and health problems, including sports injuries.
Manufacturer Support
“Artificial turf lets kids play safely on a lush, mud-free surface all year long,” said Adam Grossman, chief executive of Southern Turf Co., headquartered in Austin, Texas. “No fertilizers, pesticides, or watering required,” said Grossman, adding that his company’s products are “nontoxic.”
Long-term Consequences
Critics of turf dispute the industry’s claims, including those about safety. The pellets of crumb rubber in turf contain toxic chemicals like petroleum compounds, metals, and lead, according to Stuart Shalat, former director of the Division of Environmental Health at Georgia State University.
Environmental Concerns
“When fields heat up, they can release fumes or transfer chemicals to skin,” said Shalat, who is now retired. “And we don’t yet fully understand the long-term effects, especially for children.” The Paideia School, a K-12 private school in Atlanta, is switching from grass to turf at Python Park, its off-campus location in Avondale Estates that has two soccer fields and a diamond for baseball and softball.
Restriction on Turf Fields
In instituting their restriction on turf fields, government officials in California and Vermont said they were worried about PFAS, which are known as “forever chemicals,” and other hazardous materials that can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
EPA Report
A 2024 federal Environmental Protection Agency report on the crumb rubber in turf found that chemicals associated with tire crumb rubber were in the air, on surfaces, and on the skin of study participants but concluded there were no elevated levels in their bodies. EPA researchers, however, said their study was not designed to assess health risks associated with crumb rubber.
Health Hazards
Meanwhile, the U.S. Consumer Protection Agency has issued recommendations for limiting exposure to crumb rubber recycled tire materials used in playground surfaces, encouraging people to wash their hands and other exposed skin after leaving playgrounds with these surfaces, and to avoid eating and drinking while there.
Turf and Heat
This year is shaping up to become one of the hottest on record. Turf absorbs heat from the sun and can become much hotter than natural grass, creating a health hazard, according to the Center for Environmental Health. “On turf, you get more blisters, turf toe, and turf burns. I’m playing recreational soccer now and dealing with blisters myself,” said Smith, the Seattle physical therapist who specializes in orthopedic injuries and rehabilitation. “Turf gets hot, and when you add sweat and heat, it becomes a dangerous combination.”
Conclusion
The debate over the safety of artificial turf in youth sports continues to grow, with concerns about injuries, chemical exposure, and long-term health effects. As the industry and government officials weigh the benefits and risks of artificial turf, it is essential to consider the experiences of athletes like Natalie Silva and the warnings of medical professionals and environmental experts.
FAQs
- What are the potential health risks associated with playing on artificial turf?
The potential health risks include injuries such as torn ligaments, sprained ankles, and other injuries, as well as exposure to toxic chemicals like petroleum compounds, metals, and lead. - What is crumb rubber, and how is it used in artificial turf?
Crumb rubber is made from shredded tires and is used as infill in artificial turf to provide cushioning and support. - Have any government agencies issued warnings or restrictions on the use of artificial turf?
Yes, several government agencies, including the EPA and the U.S. Consumer Protection Agency, have issued warnings and restrictions on the use of artificial turf due to concerns about chemical exposure and health risks. - What are some alternatives to artificial turf for sports fields and playgrounds?
Alternatives to artificial turf include natural grass, as well as other types of infill materials that are safer and more environmentally friendly. - How can athletes and parents reduce the risks associated with playing on artificial turf?
Athletes and parents can reduce the risks by taking precautions such as washing hands and exposed skin after playing on turf, avoiding eating and drinking on the turf, and choosing fields with safer types of infill materials.
