Artificial turf Artificial turf

Artificial Playing Fields

Featured Documents

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Athletic Playing Fields
Athletic Playing Fields

Choosing Safer Options for Health and the Environment.

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Artificial Turf Concerns
Artificial Turf Concerns

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PFAS in Artificial Turf Carpet
PFAS in Artificial Turf Carpet

The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) has received inquiries from municipalities and community members regarding the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in artificial turf carpet. This brief fact sheet provides some basic background information on PFAS and on recent testing for these chemicals in artificial turf as reported by nonprofit organizations. This information is provided under TURI’s mandate to provide information on toxic chemicals and safer alternatives to businesses, municipalities, community members and others.

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Organic Maintenance for Athletic Fields
Organic Maintenance for Athletic Fields

Natural grass fields can provide a protective, high-performance surface for athletic activities. Organic field maintenance practices can improve the health of soil and grass without the need for synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. These practices include frequent aeration, frequent mowing, soil testing, and use of organic fertilizers and soil amendments. Communities and schools can accommodate a wide range of recreational activities on their athletic fields by building healthy, balanced soil and a strong root system. Organically managed natural grass fields serve as an affordable, practical and safer alternative to artificial turf.

Selecting Safer Alternatives

We receive many questions from communities asking about health and environmental issues associated with artificial turf and safer alternatives for athletic and playing fields. If your community is trying to make a decision about whether to install artificial turf or manage grass fields organically, the information and resources on this page can help.

Solutions – Organic Grass Care

TURI released a series of case studies highlighting communities that use organic maintenance to improve and build healthy grass playing fields. Each of these case studies provide detailed information on playable hours, maintenance practices, and costs.

Across Massachusetts, communities and homeowners are making the choice to manage grass organically, rather than using chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Organically managed grass looks great and is a viable and cost effective option. TURI has supported a variety of projects related to organic grass care, including municipalities transitioning acres of fields from pesticide use to organic.

TURI has also compiled information on organic maintenance techniques from experts and successful communities into a guide to help communities build an organic management plan for athletic fields and lawns.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A large number of chemicals are found in tire crumb. Many of these have adverse effects on human health or the environment. Some of the chemicals found in tire crumb are endocrine disrupters (e.g., phthalate esters); some are known or suspected carcinogens (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, benzene, styrene); and some are associated with other human health effects. For example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tire crumb infills are a particular concern due to carcinogenicity. As of August 2022, eight PAHs in tire crumb infills will be subject to new limits in the European Union.

    Children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals because their organ systems are developing rapidly and their detoxification mechanisms are immature, among other factors. For these reasons, it is particularly important to make careful choices about children’s exposures. For more details:

  • Use of artificial turf presents a number of issues other than human health concerns related to chemical hazards. Refer to pages 11 through 13 of the report “Athletic Playing Fields: Choosing Safer Options for Health and Environment” and the Physical Hazards document for more details on the topics described below.

    Heat: In sunny, warm weather, artificial turf can become much hotter than natural grass, raising concerns related to heat stress for athletes playing on the fields. Some towns, such as Burlington, MA, have adopted policies to protect athletes from high temperatures. For more information on approaches to determining safe temperatures on play surfaces, see page 2 of our artificial turf fact sheet.

    Environmental concerns: Environmental concerns include loss of wildlife habitat and contaminated runoff into the environment. Another environmental concern is migration of synthetic particles, including infill and plastic grass blades, into the surrounding environment. In 2020, reuse of turf in a construction project led to the release of a large quantity of crumb rubber into the Puyallup River in Washington State. Recent findings indicate that a chemical found in tires is responsible for mortality of coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest.

    Snow removal: Manufacturers recommend using specialized equipment for removing snow for winter play, such as snow blowers designed for turf fields. One Massachusetts town estimated the cost for snow blowing the field would be $5,000- $10,000 per snow storm. Damage caused to a field during snow removal could impact the warranty of the field. Snow removal may also remove infills or fibers from the field, moving them into the environment. Local conservation regulations may restrict snow removal from fields depending on proximity to wetlands, waterways, or other protected lands.

    Disposal: Artificial turf fields are typically replaced every 8-10 years. Some synthetic materials may be reusable or recyclable, though recycling options are often limited. Others may have to be disposed of in a landfill or through incineration when the field is due for replacement. Challenges related to disposal are discussed in The Seattle Times, The Atlantic, Environmental Health News, and Zembla.

    Injuries: One particular concern is increased rates of turf burns (skin abrasions) associated with playing on artificial turf. These abrasions are a risk factor for serious bacterial infections.

Request Documents or Submit a Query

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External Resources

Non Toxic Communities

The Field Fund, Inc., Martha’s Vineyard

Organic Landscape Association

Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter

Harvard University

Midwest Grows Green

    Three Massachusetts Communities Maintain Athletic Fields Organically

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    Safer Alternatives for Athletic Fields

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    Healthy Building Network/ TURI webinar

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    Selecting an Athletic Turf You Can Feel Good About