The heat is being turned up on the health issues between artificial turf and cancer.
A professor at the University of Stirling says he has identified cancer-causing chemicals in crumb samples from artificial turf soccer fields.
Specifically, the professor was analyzing 3G pitches--which claim to be the most significant and successful development in synthetic surface technology designed for football (soccer) and rugby. In 3G turf, the pile (artificial grass 'blades') is supported by a thin base layer of sand, and by an infill of rubber crumb. The pile height ranges from 40mm to 65mm depending on which primary sport is to be played on the surface.
An article in The Scotsman reports: "Samples of the crumb – pellets spread on the artificial turf to improve its bounce – were sent for testing by the Environment Scientifics Group, and the results were passed to Professor Andrew Watterson, an environmental health expert from the University of Stirling. Watterson was quoted as saying: “This report confirms and reveals the presence of a number of carcinogens at various levels in the rubber crumb. “If the chemicals and metals remain locked in to the crumb, then there will be no exposure. “However, it seems to be fairly clear that there may be some potential risk from some of these substances to sports people."
FieldTurf, a big seller of artificial turf fields, claims: " Volumes of research and testing from academics and state governments like New York, California, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and school systems have examined everything called into question about synthetic turf. The conclusions show that there isn't conclusive scientific evidence proving that artificial turf systems cause health risks. Synthetic turf is, and has always been safe. There is no scientific or medical evidence that synthetic turf poses a human health or environmental risk."
There has been concern about the safety of artificial turf for years. In 1978, experts found exposing mice to Chrysene led to a huge increase in tumours in the animals. A 1993 study into Benzo (E) Pyrene said the substance promotes tumours forming on skin.
In 2014, NBC looked into the potential link between the rubber crumbs used in artificial turf and female soccer players getting cancer. The broadcast focused on Amy Griffin, associate head coach for the University of Washington’s women’s soccer team. Griffin, in her words, has discovered “a stream of kids” that have played on artificial turf and soon gotten cancer. Griffin has compiled a list of 38 American soccer players–34 of them goalies–who have been diagnosed with cancer. At least a dozen played in Washington, but the geographic spread is nationwide. Blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia dominate the list.
In response to a NBC News investigation, the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to the EPA Administrator looking for more information about the safety of crumb rubber fields. Congress gave the EPA a November 6, 2015 deadline, which the EPA failed to meet.
Finally in February three U.S. government agencies will team up to study whether artificial turf fields and playgrounds that use bits of recycled tires are exposing children to dangerous chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday they will study the issue, CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye said in a statement.
