PFAS Chemicals in Synthetic Turf: A Growing Concern for Public Health and the Environment

The synthetic turf industry is booming, with thousands of installations happening annually throughout the country. However, communities across the United States are raising concerns about the safety of these fields due to the presence of PFAS chemicals, which are linked to potential health risks. Leah Sarnoff has reported for ABC News that synthetic turf, which is praised for its low maintenance and environmental benefits, may contain PFAS chemicals, causing health concerns among users.

Despite these concerns, the EPA and FDA are taking steps to understand and limit PFAS exposure. However, the full impact on health remains uncertain. Dr. Kyla Bennett, director of science policy for PEER, questions the wisdom of putting down acres of plastic turf and allowing athletes to play on it, raising valid concerns about the safety of synthetic turf fields.

The issue with synthetic turf containing PFAS chemicals is that as the fields wear down or are disposed of, these chemicals can leach into the environment, contaminating soil and water sources. With increasing awareness about the health effects of PFAS, the full lifetime cost of artificial turf installations may come as a shock to the industry. Overall, the safety of synthetic turf fields is being reevaluated due to concerns about PFAS chemicals and the potential health risks associated with them.