Synthetic Turf’s Dark Secret: Health Risks of PFAS Chemicals

The use of synthetic turf fields is becoming increasingly popular, but concerns are being raised about their safety. Leah Sarnoff, reporting for ABC News, has brought attention to the issue of PFAS chemicals, which may be present in these fields and could pose potential health risks.

The synthetic turf industry has been praised for its low maintenance requirements and environmental benefits, but recent studies suggest that PFAS chemicals may be present in the fields. These chemicals can have negative impacts on human health and the environment, even when they are not ingested or inhaled.

Despite these concerns, the synthetic turf industry continues to grow, with thousands of new installations taking place each year in the United States. Dr. Kyla 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 widespread use of PFAS chemicals by the synthetic turf industry is causing alarm as these chemicals may leach into the environment as the fields wear down or are disposed of. This could 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 a growing concern about the true cost of artificial turf installations over their full lifecycle. This increased awareness may have a significant impact on the synthetic turf industry as communities and decision-makers weigh the potential risks against the benefits of using synthetic turf fields.