Artificial turf is a carpet made from synthetic grass fibers designed to mimic the appearance of natural grass. It can often be found or used in athletic fields, residential yards, playgrounds, and more.
Many communities have raised concerns regarding the potential health risks, environmental impacts, and safety hazards of artificial turf, particularly due to the presence of toxic chemicals and heat retention. Numerous studies have identified toxic chemicals present in artificial turf components, such as phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), etc.
Available research and authoritative evaluations on artificial turf currently do not conclude that it poses any significant public health risk during use. People should be aware that there are toxic chemicals in artificial turf, but research suggests exposure is low and will not cause significant health risk in frequent users. DOH recommends people to continue physical activities on athletic fields, regardless of field surface type, because we have overwhelming research that physical activity is beneficial for people’s physical and mental health.
However, we acknowledge that available research has limitations and we cannot rule out the possibility that there are negative health effects from artificial turf. We understand the concern of communities and are working to identify safer alternatives that do not contain chemicals of concern, especially when making purchasing decisions for new or updated playing fields.
What are artificial turf fields made of?
Artificial turf is made up of many parts including the backing, infill, and grass fibers. The chemicals included can vary as it’s not the same in every artificial turf field. Typical materials can include:
- Artificial Grass Blades
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The grass blades are commonly made from materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can be used while making artificial turf. Fluoropolymers are used as processing aids and coating treatments for grass fibers, and some of these chemicals may be present in the final product. Use of recycled materials can also unintentionally bring PFAS into parts of artificial turf. We do not know what levels of PFAS people are exposed to while using turf fields. However, some PFAS chemicals are known to be persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic so they can build up in the environment over time and pose potential harms to exposed populations.
- Infill
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Infill is material that is spread between the grass blades to add weight and keep the blades upright. It also improves drainage, enhances durability, and provides additional cushioning. Common infill materials include sand, tire crumb rubber, and cork. Different infill materials may be used at the same time.
Tire crumb rubber is created from shredding recycled tires and contains many chemicals. A multi-agency federal research effort to study chemicals in tire crumb rubber detected metals (i.e. lead and zinc), phthalates, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs), and other types of chemicals. Results of this study can be accessed through the federal webpage, linked in our Resources tab.
Due to the use of 6PPD in tires, tire crumb rubber has also been found to contain 6PPD, 7PPD, and 6PPD-quinone. The hazards of these chemicals are an area of active research. - Backing
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The backing of artificial turf helps with stability, durability, integrity, and performance such as wear and UV resistance, mold and mildew growth prevention, and drainage. There are two types of backing: 1) The primary backing is usually a woven polyester or polypropylene fabric that holds up the artificial grass blades and keeps the infill material in place. 2) The secondary backing is a coating on the back of the turf that helps create weather durability. Types of secondary backing material can include latex and polyurethane.
Unlike the infill material, chemical exposure from backing material is less studied. People using these fields aren’t likely to be exposed to backing material, but workers who install, maintain, and remove fields handle backing material
Health & Safety Concerns
It is possible for people to touch, breathe, or accidentally swallow chemicals in artificial turf fields, and this has raised public concern. However, efforts in multiple states to evaluate health risks to users of artificial turf have generally concluded that the health risks during field use for adults or children are minimal. See links in the Information Resources section below. DOH will continue to evaluate new assessments and update our conclusions accordingly.
The chemicals that are present in some turf fields can be toxic in some other human exposure situations or are toxic to the environment. Some chemicals that have been detected in artificial turf are also known to be persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic, so they can build up or accumulate in the environment over time and pose potential risks to exposed populations. Therefore, Department of Health and Ecology are evaluating available alternatives to artificial turf and crumb rubber infill that do not contain chemicals of concern.
Non-chemical safety issues include turf burns which are skin abrasions caused by friction of the skin on artificial grass fibers. Turf burns can happen by sliding or falling during any sporting activities.
Artificial turf absorbs and retains more heat from the sun and can become significantly hotter compared to natural grass. Temperature differences have varied across studies, reporting artificial turf temperatures to range from 35 to 85 degrees F higher than natural grass temperatures. Factors that influence the temperature of artificial turf can include artificial grass material, turf color, and infill material. For artificial turf users, high surface temperatures lead to concerns of burns, blisters, dehydration, and other heat related stress or illnesses.
Actions & Recommendations
Is it safe for my kids to play on artificial fields made with crumb rubber?
Based on what we know today, the Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who enjoy recreation and sport on athletic fields continue to play regardless of the type of field surface. Our recommendation is based on our investigation and the available research on crumb rubber which currently does not suggest it poses a significant public health risk.
There is still a lack of information on potential toxicity and exposure for the many chemicals that can be present in these field surfaces. While we cannot rule out the possibility that there are health effects from artificial turf that we have not been able to detect, we have overwhelming research that physical activity is beneficial for people’s physical and mental health. We strongly recommend that people continue to train and recreate because the benefits of healthy exercise are clear.
To avoid turf burns, we recommend people wear clothes that don’t expose too much skin while playing on artificial turf fields, including long sleeve shirts, long pants, and long socks. For individuals who play sports such as soccer, wearing shin or knee guards can help to protect them from turf burns.
On hotter days, artificial turf managers should regularly monitor surface level temperatures and set guidelines for when to alert users to avoid field use. Sports coaches should use caution when practicing on artificial turf in hot weather which includes following local or state heat index policies for sports activities and cancelling sports activities when necessary.
How to limit exposure to chemicals in crumb rubber
While available research does not show a significant health risk, there are several ways to minimize potential exposures to chemicals from artificial turf fields.
- Always wash hands after playing on the field and before eating.
- Avoid eating and drinking on turf surfaces.
- Take off shoes/cleats, sports equipment and soiled uniforms outside or in the garage to prevent tracking crumb rubber into homes.
- Remove crumb rubber traces from children’s clothing to prevent children from handling the crumb rubber themselves.
- Users of turf fields, especially children, should spit out any turf or infill pieces that get into the mouth, to avoid swallowing these materials.
What to tell communities who may want to install an artificial field
We would like to work with communities that are selecting new field surfaces to better understand their needs and assist them with specific information. Contact us at: doheheha@doh.wa.gov
It is important for Washington communities to build and support environments that make it easier for adults and youth to be physically active. Physical activity can slow down rates of obesity, reduce rates of chronic disease, and improve quality of life. Current research does not suggest that crumb rubber and artificial turf fields present a significant public health risk.
Safer alternatives to artificial turf
We understand the concern of communities, and we are working to identify safer alternatives that do not contain certain chemicals of concern. The Washington State Departments of Health and Ecology intend to look into artificial playing fields more in the coming years and explore safer, feasible, and available alternatives.
The Washington State Department of Health has yet to conduct any formal alternatives assessment for artificial turf. The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) in Massachusetts has published some initial evaluations of infill materials used in artificial turf fields. Based on their alternatives assessment, TURI has only identified organically managed natural grass as a safer alternative to tire crumb rubber infill.
Some studies that reviewed alternative infills couldn't identify any that are without health or environmental concerns. For example, some studies concluded that plant-based alternatives were found to contain the fewest chemicals of concern but could pose other hazards related to mold, allergens, and inhalation of fibers.
If you have a question or would like information on any of the references used to inform this page, email the Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences or call 360-236-3385.