Sources & Links for More Information on Synthetic Turf

Following are the principal sources we used to prepare these pages, with updated information added as it becomes available.

Reports, Fact Sheets, & Scientific Studies

1. Synthetic Turf – Industry’s Claims Versus the Science – A Careful Analysis Of Studies That Industry Uses to Justify Safety Claims [Environment & Human Health, North Haven CT]
2. Athletic Playing Fields and Artificial Turf: Considerations for Municipalities and Institutions [PDF]. Toxics Use Reduction Institute at University of Massachusetts–Lowell (June 2016).
3. David R. Brown. Artificial Turf. Environment & Human Health (2007).
4. C. Frank Williams and Gilbert E. Pulley. Synthetic Turf Heat Studies. Brigham Young University (2002)
5. ‘Be Aware of Artificial Turf Hazards’ fact sheet (NJ Work Environment Council)
6. ‘What to Know About Artificial Turf Fields’ fact sheet (Mt. Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center, 2011)
7. Hefa Cheng, Yuanan Hu, and Martin Reinhard.  Environmental and Health Impacts of Artificial Turf.  Environmental Science & Technology (2013).
8. Exposure to rubber nanoparticles could lead to serious health issues  | Turf & Recreation news [added Dec 2015]
9. EPA Says Harm Not Proven, Calls for More-Comprehensive Studies [added Dec 2015]
10. Grass not cheaper on the artificial side | Clay Center Dispatch (8 September 2014)
11. University of Missouri: Synthetic turfgrass costs far exceed natural grass playing fields [added Dec 2015]
12. Yale analysis of crumb rubber infill and playground mulch shows dozens of carcinogens (June 2015) [added Dec 2015]
13. 12 reasons why synthetic turf fields pose a health risk [EHHI]
    

News & Media Coverage

1. How the Synthetic Turf Industry Is Bypassing Children’s Safety – Nancy Alderman of Environment & Human Health recaps current state of knowledge on this critical health issue for children. (The Hill, 26 June 2017)
2. Mom of Goalie Who Died of Cancer Wants Answers on Artificial Turf [added Dec 2015]
3. Feds Won’t Say If Artificial Turf on Your Kid’s Soccer Field Is Safe [added Dec 2015]
4. ESPN: Turf Wars: How Safe Are The Fields Where We Play? [added Dec 2015]
5. Senators Call for ‘Independent’ Crumb Rubber Turf Study [added Dec 2015]
6. Congress Asks EPA If Crumb Rubber Turf Is Safe for Young Athletes [added Dec 2015]
7. ‘How Safe Is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays On?’ (NBC News, 8 October 2014)
8. Phyllis Swebilius. More studies needed on artificial turf fields, EPA says. New Haven Register (25 December 2013).
9. ‘Are artificial turf fields carcinogenic?‘ (Saratoga Falcon | Saratoga HS, November 2013)
10. ‘Toxicologist unsurprised by artificial turf-cancer report’ (Soccer Wire, 14 November 2014)
11. Patrick Lester. Artificial turf debate: Is it safe for children? The Morning Call (2014).
12. Natural Grass and Artificial Turf: Separating Myths and Facts (Turfgrass Resource Center)

[For additional detail,  see resources listed by the NY Department of Health.]

Also see:

• Overview
• What Is Synthetic Turf?
• What Do Athletes Think?
• Health & Safety Concerns
• Turf Burns – First Aid & Treatment
• Antibiotic-Resistant Infections – MRSA
• Environmental Pros & Cons
• Maintenance
• Cost – Natural Turf v. Synthetic
• Play It Safe – Recommendations for Athletes, Parents, & Institutions
• Sources & Links for More Information
• Updates
• Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic Turf

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 January 2016]