FieldTurf, the world’s largest provider of synthetic turf fields, applauded the results of a study released on July 30, 2010 by the University of Connecticut Health Center, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Protection. Peer reviewed by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, the study’s findings concluded that health risks are not elevated from playing on these fields, having done the study with the intent to replicate the worst case conditions.
The study involved air sampling at one indoor and four outdoor artificial turf fields under summer conditions in Connecticut. The main goal of that sampling was to document air concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), rubber-related chemicals (e.g. benzothiazole), and particulate matter less than 10 micron (PM10) at these fields under conditions of active use. The data was then used in a human health risk assessment that focused on children or adults using these fields.
The findings concluded that outdoor and indoor artificial turf fields are not associated with elevated health risks from the inhalation of volatile or particle-bound chemicals. It was also noted that contributors to cancer risk in this study are unlikely to be field related and likely coming from the players themselves.
A higher reading at one indoor field, although below all health risk targets, indicates that proper ventilation of indoor fields should be considered. The lone indoor turf facility that was tested as part of this study had four exhaust fans at each end of the building which were not operating during sampling. This was done to ensure testing took place under the worst case scenario. The study states that more research is needed to better understand chemical exposures in indoor facilities.
In the July 30 press release from the Connecticut Department of Health regarding the results of the study, Public Health Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin stated “This study presents good news regarding the safety of outdoor artificial turf fields. What we’ve learned from this study in Connecticut will provide valuable guidance to municipalities, schools and others who operate or are considering installing artificial playing fields.”
“The report indicates that the facility’s air poses no significant or unusual health risk to those using the athletic field, even under a simulated worse-case scenario,” a situation where the facilities doors are closed and the ventilation system is off, said Terri Dominguez, manager of UConn’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety, on July 30 in UConn Today.
“The study results confirm what hundreds of other studies around the world have already proven – the use of crumb rubber in artificial turf is completely safe.” One of the most comprehensive and exhaustive studies on the subject of the safety of artificial turf, now joins a long list of other studies that have similarly shown the safety of artificial turf and FieldTurf’s products,” said FieldTurf President Eric Daliere.
Since the very beginning, FieldTurf has thoroughly tested and continues to test all of the raw materials involved with the production of its products to ensure environmental and player safety at all times.
FieldTurf is 100% recyclable. When a FieldTurf installation finally comes to the end of its long life – it continues to help our planet. FieldTurf was the first company in the industry to remove entire turf systems and recycle them. FieldTurf has also launched a “Take Back” program for both sports fields and landscape applications, whereby FieldTurf will provide customers with the option, in writing, that fields will be recycled at the end of their useful life when replaced with another FieldTurf system.
When it comes to carbon footprints, there’s simply no comparison between natural grass and FieldTurf fields. By choosing FieldTurf, you’re becoming part of an environmental movement that not only saves clean drinking water, but also eliminates impact on water resources, eliminates the use of millions of pounds of chemicals, and removes millions of tires from landfill sites each year.
