WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Synthetic Turf Council (STC), the world's largest organization representing the synthetic turf industry, today highlighted a recently published peer-reviewed study in the journal Environmental Research. The study, a multipathway risk assessment of chemicals found within recycled rubber infill, found no elevated public health risk from playing on this material. The full study can be found at this link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935117303936
Specifically, the study stated the following:
- “This comprehensive, multipathway risk assessment demonstrates that the use of synthetic turf fields containing recycled rubber infill would not result in unacceptable risks or hazards to adults or children under US EPA's risk assessment guidelines.”
- “Estimated non-cancer hazards and cancer risks for all the evaluated scenarios were within US EPA guidelines. In addition, cancer risk levels for users of synthetic turf field were comparable to or lower than those associated with natural soil fields.”
- “This [human health risk assessment’s] results add to the growing body of literature that suggests recycled rubber infill in synthetic turf poses negligible risks to human health. This comprehensive assessment provides data that allow stakeholders to make informed decisions about installing and using these fields.”
The Environmental Research study evaluated “All available North American data on the chemical composition of recycled rubber, as well as air sampling data collected on or near synthetic turf fields…” Researchers evaluated “Ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation pathways…according to US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) guidance…” and considered “exposure scenarios for adults, adolescents, and children…”
Dan Bond, President and CEO of the Synthetic Turf Council, said, “This study further illustrates what scientific research has consistently shown, that playing on synthetic turf fields with recycled rubber infill poses no greater health risk than natural grass surfaces. This risk assessment aligns with more than 90 other peer-reviewed academic studies, third-party reports and federal and state government analyses that also have not found public health concerns from playing on synthetic turf fields with this material. In just the past 12 months, multiple government agencies, including the Washington State Health Department, Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and European Chemical Agency have published reports and analyses that have come to a similar conclusion and found no reason to advise people of all ages against playing on synthetic turf fields with recycled rubber infill.”
More than 11,000 synthetic turf fields are currently in use in the U.S. Synthetic turf fields carry many benefits, including the promotion of healthier, more active lifestyles through greater access to playgrounds and athletic surfaces. Each synthetic turf field saves more than 1.5 million gallons of water per year and eliminates the need for 8,000 pounds of pesticides per year. A synthetic turf field with recycled rubber diverts 20,000 tires from landfills.
About the Synthetic Turf Council
The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) is the world's largest organization representing the synthetic turf industry, representing over 200 companies with operations in 9 countries. Founded in 2003, the STC assists buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications. It is a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf, as well as technical guidance on the selection, installation, maintenance, and environmentally responsible disposal of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.