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Lehigh Valley PA

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Play It Safe – for athletes, parents, and institutions

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The following recommendations are based on understanding the risks created by playing on or near synthetic turf. Compiled from advice on several health & sport-specific sites, they can help reduce — but not eliminate — some of the serious health & safety risks discussed in the health pages. The best advice is to avoid playing on synthetic turf whenever possible.

Recommendations for Athletes

  1. Chemical exposures are cumulative, so limit total exposure as much as possible.
  2. Cover all cuts & scrapes before playing on a synthetic turf field. Any open wound will make you more susceptible to picking up an infection such as antibiotic-resistant staph infections [MRSA]; open wounds or abrasions also increase the likelihood of absorbing toxic chemicals from the turf itself.
  3. Do not play on artificial turf in extremely hot weather, as air temperatures can exceed 150°F [65°C] with surface temperatures even higher. It is not unusual for temperatures on a synthetic turf field to be 80°F [45°C] higher than on natural turf.
    Be aware of signs of heat-related illnesses and dehydration! Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps. If you or a friend experience these symptoms while playing on a synthetic turf field seek help immediately. Two key steps to reducing the risk of heat exhaustion are frequent breaks to cool off and drinking plenty of water. (Do not eat or drink while on the synthetic turf—see next paragraph.)
  4. Particles from the infill contain known carcinogens and endocrine-disruptor chemicals, so it is especially important to takes steps to help reduce the risk of contamination:
    • Do not eat or drink on a synthetic turf field or adjacent areas.
    • Be sure to brush all turf beads from clothing before leaving the field.
    • Turn clothes inside out as soon as possible to avoid contaminating other locations with infill particles & dust. Shake out equipment and clothes over a garbage container.
    • Shower and wash thoroughly as soon as possible after playing on an artificial turf field.
    • Make sure crumbs of turf infill do not contaminate your car or home.
  5. If you experience a ‘turf burn’, clean the abrasion with water or a saline or solution immediately. Gently rinse the wound to remove any particles that may be present and apply a hydrogel (inexpensive, found at any drug store) to maintain a moist wound environment. Lastly, cover your wound to prevent risk of infection. Remember, a turf burn creates an open wound that makes you subject to infection, including the risk of antibiotic-resistant staph infections [MRSA]. If the wound does not heal promptly or shows any sign of infection, seek immediate medical treatment.

Recommendations for Parents

  1. Chemical exposures are cumulative, so limit total exposure as much as possible. Make sure older children are familiar with the recommendations for athletes listed above.
  2. Cover all cuts & scrapes before playing on a synthetic turf field. Any open wound will make you more susceptible to picking up an infection such as antibiotic-resistant staph infections [MRSA]; open wounds or abrasions also increase the likelihood of absorbing toxic chemicals from the turf itself.
  3. Do not allow children to play on artificial turf in very hot weather, as air temperatures can exceed 150°F [65°C] with surface temperatures even higher. It is not unusual for temperatures on a synthetic turf field to be 80°F [45°C] higher than on natural turf.
    Be aware of signs of heat-related illnesses and dehydration! Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps. If your child shows any of these symptoms while playing on a synthetic turf field seek help immediately. Two key steps to reducing the risk of heat exhaustion are frequent breaks to cool off and drinking plenty of water. (Do not eat or drink while on the synthetic turf—see #5.)
  4. Particles from the infill contain known carcinogens and endocrine-disruptor chemicals, so it is especially important to takes steps to help reduce the risk of contamination:
    • Do not allow children to eat or drink on a synthetic turf field or adjacent areas. Closely monitor young children, because it is very easy for them to put the toxic infill in their mouth and ingest it.
    • Be sure to have children brush all turf beads from clothing before leaving the field.
    • Turn clothes inside out as soon as possible to avoid contaminating other locations with infill particles & dust. Shake out equipment and clothes over a garbage container.
    • Make sure crumbs of turf infill do not contaminate your car or home.
    • Have your child shower and wash thoroughly after playing on an artificial turf field.
  5. If your child experiences a turf burn, take it seriously: clean the abrasion with water or a saline or solution immediately after the fall. Gently rinse the wound to remove any particles that may be present and apply a hydrogel (inexpensive, found at any drug store) to maintain a moist wound environment.  Lastly, cover the wound to prevent risk of infection. Remember, a turf burn creates an open wound that is subject to infection, including the risk of antibiotic-resistant staph infections [MRSA]. If the wound does not heal promptly or shows any sign of infection, seek immediate medical treatment.

Recommendations for Schools and Municipalities

If you have one or more synthetic turf fields

  1. It is important to provide clear information about the health hazards and how people can protect their health. Since young people are more vulnerable to chemical exposures, schools should notify parents and athletes of the risks and educate them about precautionary measures they should take.
  2. Take all possible steps to reduce contamination of nearby buildings and of students/athletes homes. Particles from the infill contain known carcinogens and endocrine-disruptor chemicals.
  3. It is not unusual for temperatures on a synthetic turf field to be 80°F [45°C] higher than on natural turf. To protect public safety in the summer, close fields whenever the surface temperature exceeds a safe level. This means not only preventing organized games, but also making sure that children do not wander onto the hot surface. (Temperatures can be reduced temporarily by sprinkling the field, but this may increase the risk of slipping an falling.)
  4. To minimize risks of injury, it is essential to maintain synthetic turf fields properly. Brushing and leveling the infill is especially important to prevent knee & ankle injuries.
  5. For fields that are used by the public, including leagues & informal groups, it is essential to post clear warning signs. (Below is an example of signs that have been posted outside turf fields in a town in Connecticut—but this sign fails to warn about turf burns and antibiotic-resistant staph infections.)
Sample Health Warning sign

If you are considering adding or renewing a synthetic turf field

  1. First of all, consider the high costs and the health & safety risks to those who use the field!
  2. Require vendors to provide detailed information to back up any claims about health, safety, or reduced maintenance requirements or costs. For example, some studies comparing synthetic to natural turf have shown that costs for synthetic turf can be much higher than natural turf, even when maintenance costs are included! (Potential vendors should be required to present any claims and responses to questions in writing.)
  3. When evaluating costs, be sure to consider additional costs to inform the public and anyone who uses the fields about how to protect themselves and their children, to develop liability waivers for those who use the field, and to provide specialized training for coaches & medical personnel on proper care of turf burns.
  4. In many or most cases, synthetic turf ‘vendors’ act as brokers, contracting with other parties to provide design services, manufacture the turf, deliver the infill material, and install the drainage systems & turf. This makes it difficult to rely on any assurances or even written warranties, so it is important to consider how to protect against claims that may arise.

Additional resources

Also see:

These pages on Synthetic Turf are based on research and analysis completed in May 2015 by Kendall Garden [Lehigh ’16] and Peter Crownfield. Contact us by email.

[updated 14 January 2016]