A new study of artificial turf fields containing crumb rubber infill conducted by four state agencies shows that health risks are not elevated from playing on the fields. 
Workers tug at the snythetic turf laid down on the Staples High School football field in August 2006. It was the first of four such fields created in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
However, higher contaminant levels at one indoor field indicate that ventilation of indoor fields should be considered, the report said. And storm water run off findings indicate that proper management of this run off is prudent to address possible environmental effects, it said.
The study was issued almost three years after Westport’s Parks and Recreation Department said that continued use of synthetic athletic turf fields in Westport is warranted despite concerns expressed by some that they may adversely affect the health of users. (See WestportNow Sept. 4, 2007)
Shortly afterward, the director of the Westport Weston Health District rejected a “demand” by two Westport residents that play on Westport’s synthetic turf fields be limited or eliminated while tests for health risks are conducted on the fields’ rubber infill. (See WestportNow Sept. 27, 2007)
The study findings were peer reviewed by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, whose comments were incorporated into the final report.
“This study presents good news regarding the safety of outdoor artificial turf fields,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin.
“While the findings indoors were below the health risk targets, the elevated contaminant levels suggest a need to ventilate these fields so they can be brought to the level of safety outdoors.
“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 four state agencies, the University of Connecticut Health Center, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Protection evaluated the health and environmental impacts associated with artificial turf fields containing crumb rubber infill.
A key aspect of the study was a field investigation conducted in July 2009, when the UCONN Health Center sent a team of researchers to four outdoor fields and one indoor field across Connecticut.
Three soccer players at each field were equipped with personal monitoring devices and the recorded results, together with the stationary samplers, were used to characterize possible exposures. Overall, approximately 200 chemicals were tested at each field.
The Department of Public Health (DPH) used the data from the field investigation to evaluate health risks. Exposures and risks were not elevated relative to what is commonly found in outdoor air for both children and adults using the fields, the report said.
Indoor fields showed higher levels of chemical emissions, it said. While these levels do not suggest a health risk, DPH recommended ventilation of indoor fields.
Developers of new indoor fields should consider alternatives to crumb rubber infill as a cushioning agent, the report said.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) evaluated the environmental risk associated with storm water runoff from the artificial turf fields tested in the air study.
Three of eight storm water samples showed elevated levels of zinc leaching from the fields that may present a risk to aquatic organisms.
Other metals and rubber related compounds tested in run off were not elevated. Based on these results, DEP concluded that there is no risk to drinking water from this runoff, but a potential risk exists for surface waters and aquatic organisms.
The DEP suggested that use of storm water treatment measures may reduce the concentrations of zinc in the storm water runoff from artificial turf fields to levels below the acute aquatic toxicity criteria.
Individual artificial turf field owners should evaluate the storm water drainage systems at the fields and the hydrologic and water quality characteristics of any receiving waters to determine the appropriateness of a storm water treatment measure, the report said.
The state agencies asked the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) to review and comment on the study. CASE is a private, nonprofit, public service institution whose mission is to evaluate issues and technological advances that are of potential concern to the people of Connecticut.
CASE assembled a nine member expert panel to review all aspects of the study. Comments included that cancer risks calculated by DPH may have been overestimates because of the inclusion of benzene detections that are likely not coming from the playing field but from the players themselves.
The study was funded with $245,000 available to DEP for special projects from the settlement of cases involving violations of environmental regulations.
For more information and to view the entire study, visit www.ct.gov/dep/artificialturf
Standing on a turf field on a hot day can be nauseating from the rubber fumes that waft off the deck. I understand and support the benefits of turf—for year-around all weather field utilization, but I am not convinced reconstituted tire rubber pellet turf fields are safe for our kids. Those fumes cannot be healthy.