The widespread use of synthetic turf fields is causing concerns about the safety of these surfaces, as recent studies have found that they may contain PFAS chemicals. PFAS chemicals are known to pose potential health risks, and their presence in synthetic turf fields raises questions about the potential impact on human health. While the EPA and FDA are working to better understand and regulate PFAS exposure, the full extent of its effects on human health is still not entirely clear.
Despite these concerns, the synthetic turf industry continues to grow, with thousands of new installations occurring each year in the United States. Dr. Kayla Bennett, director of science policy for PEER, questions the wisdom of covering acres of land with plastic turf and allowing athletes to play on it for hours each week without fully understanding the potential risks involved.
The use of PFAS chemicals in synthetic turf fields is causing alarm because these chemicals can leach into the environment as fields wear out or are disposed of. This can lead to contamination of soil and water sources, posing a threat to human health and the environment. As awareness grows about the health effects of PFAS chemicals, there is growing concern about the true cost of artificial grass installations over their full life cycle. This increased awareness could have a significant impact on the synthetic turf industry as communities and decision makers weigh the potential risks against