Does synthetic turf cause cancer?

Just recently, the Washington State Department of Health issued a report on its study of the reported cancer cluster in these soccer players. Their report found no evidence of a causal effect of playing on artificial turf and cancer.

Is synthetic turf toxic?

In July, the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged that synthetic turf contains toxic chemicals, some of which are known to cause cancer. Fields need to be replaced every eight to 10 years, according to the Synthetic Turf Council , with between 1,200 and 1,500 fields being replaced at any given time.

Is artificial turf safer than grass?

Specifically, players have a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf. Of those non-contact injuries, players have a 32% higher rate of non-contact knee injuries on turf and a staggering 69% higher rate of non-contact foot/ankle injuries on turf compared to grass.

Is there lead in artificial turf?

Artificial grass in California comes under even stricter control. Current law requires artificial grass in the state to have lead levels at no more than 50 parts per million. Lead contamination is dangerous and can result in a variety of health problems, including nervous system damage.

Is artificial grass bad for humans?

In 2016 the media reported that playing sport on synthetic grass may have health risks. Researchers say the rubber granules (not the grass) used on artificial sports pitches can contain harmful toxins. Unfortunately if you touch these rubber granules, some toxins may be absorbed into the skin.

Why is artificial turf bad?

There are several environmental concerns associated with artificial turf including loss of wildlife habitat, contaminated runoff, and migration of synthetic materials. Contaminants that are harmful to aquatic life, such as zinc, have been found in storm water runoff from artificial turf.

Is there a link between artificial turf and cancer?

Researchers in California, Oregon, and Washington are looking into the relationship between synthetic turf and cancer. So far, according to Bleyer, a trend doesn’t appear to be evident. Indeed, peer-reviewed research over the years has not yet shown evidence of a connection between crumb rubber turf and any childhood cancers.

What makes artificial turf more pliable than Astroturf?

Black dots are the crumb rubber used in today’s artificial turf fields (and on playgrounds). Those fields are designed to be more pliable than AstroTurf because they’re made from longer synthetic grass surrounded by infill made of ground rubber from used tires, usually mixed with sand.

Is it safe to play soccer on artificial turf?

Griffin’s concern is that the way scientists have been testing the safety of artificial turf may not reflect the way some soccer players interact with the material. She has seen blood cancers mostly in soccer players who were goalkeepers.

How many artificial turf fields are there in the US?

Despite widespread adoption of the crumb rubber–filled synthetic turf (the U.S. has some 12,000 such fields now), no epidemiological studies have examined populations with experience playing on such fields.