Getting the Dirt on Athletic Fields

by Charles Margulis

If your kids play on artificial turf fields, you may have noticed that they often track small bits of black rubber into the house, on their shoes, their clothes, and even on their skin. It’s an unsightly mess, but even worse, there is growing scientific concern suggesting that chemicals in this black crumb rubber may pose a serious risk to our children’s health.

The problem with crumb rubber

Many artificial turf fields today contain a black crumb rubber “infill” used for cushioning. This infill is typically made from recycled car tires that contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including chemicals known to cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Toxic chemicals in crumb rubber infill include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and benzothiazole, a respiratory irritant.

One of the most problematic chemicals in infill is “carbon black,” which can make up as much as 40% of the material. Carbon black is a chemical known to cause cancer; in California, products that can expose people to this chemical are required to carry a cancer-warning. Kids playing on turf fields can be exposed to carbon black and other chemicals thru contact with their skin, when they touch their mouths, and when they inhale small particles from infill.

CEH: Fighting for Safer Turf Fields

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) ended lead poisoning threats to children from artificial turf blades, when its legal agreements with leading turf companies, including AstroTurf and Field Turf, required them to end their use of lead-based pigments.

Now CEH is turning its attention to hazards from crumb rubber infill. As CEH Research Director Caroline Cox recently told NBC News, risking our children’s health with toxic turf just isn’t worth it. Working with parents, school districts, and others, CEH is educating the public with information about crumb rubber and alternatives. Some schools and even some cities are considering removing recycled tire crumb rubber from their turf fields. If your kids play on fields using crumb rubber and you have concerns, contact CEH for resources and more information.

About the author: Charles Margulis is Media Director for the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), the leading national nonprofit working to protect children and families from toxic health threats. Prior to joining CEH, Charles was the lead campaigner for Greenpeace USA’s Genetic Engineering Campaign. His 8 year-old daughter plays soccer on grass fields.

Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo