Toxins in Our Parks

Toxins in Rainwater Runoff

Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is on the Proposition 65 (The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. The official Prop 65 website says it can cause birth defect, may harm the male reproductive system and exposure during pregnancy may affect the development of the child.

In 2011 and 2012, DEHP was detected in the rainwater runoff at South Sunset field. Prop 65 warnings at the entrances to the fields were justified.

In the winters of 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission tested rainwater runoff from the artificial turf fields at Garfield Square (GS) and South Sunset Playground (SS). The water contained toxins above the federal and state safety limits. They did not test for any PFAS chemicals or the potent aquatic toxin 6PPD-q. They did not quantify the amount of microplastic in the samples.

Other files released by RPD and the PUC from the 2009-2012 testing (Tbls B-3 & B-4 Syn Turf Sampling results v2.pdf and 012011 Leach Test Results-annotated.pdf) are missing the data from sample LIMS #1201230554, collected at 9:00pm on 1/12/2012. This fourth sample from that day contained the 23 toxins listed below that were not detected in other samples. Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) was repeatedly found in runoff at South Sunset.

Chemicals Detected in Rainwater Runoff	Toxicity Criteria*	Risks	Parks
1,4-Dichlorobenzene	CA Primary MCL	Possible carcinogen	SS
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene	CA Primary MCL	Toxic to aquatic life; long-term exposure can harm liver, kidneys	SS
Pentachlorophenol	CA Primary MCL	Likely carcinogen; toxic to aquatic life	SS
Hexachlorobenzene	CA Primary MCL	Likely carcinogen; liver, thyroid, immune, reproductive and developmental toxicity; highly persistent, bioaccumulative, biomagnifies; toxic to aquatic life	SS
Benzo[a]pyrene	CA Primary MCL	Highly carcinogenic; persistent binds to soil/sediment, bioaccumulative	GS, SS
Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP)	CA Primary MCL	Developmental and reproductive toxicity	SS
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol	DTSC-SL	Cancer	GS, SS
Dibenzo-[a,h]-anthracene	DTSC-SL	Cancer	GS, SS
3,3-Dichlorobenzidine	DTSC-SL	Cancer	GS, SS
Benzidine	DTSC-SL	Known carcinogen	GS, SS
Benzo[a]anthracene	DTSC-SL	Cancer	GS, SS
Bis-(2-chloroethyl)-ether	DTSC-SL	Cancer	GS, SS
2,4-Dinitrotoluene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
2,6-Dinitrotoluene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
Benzo[b]fluoranthene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
Benzo[k]fluoranthene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	SS
Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol	USEPA RSL	High systemic toxicity; very toxic to aquatic life	GS, SS
Nitrobenzene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
N-nitroso-dimethylamine (NDMA)	USEPA RSL	Potent carcinogen at very low levels	GS, SS
N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine (NDPA)	USEPA RSL	Potent carcinogen at very low levels	GS, SS
N-nitroso-diphenylamine	USEPA RSL	Potent carcinogen at very low levels	SS
Naphthalene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
Hexachlorobutadiene	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
Hexachloroethane	USEPA RSL	Cancer	GS, SS
Heavy Metals
Iron	CA Secondary MCL	Can degrade aquatic habitat and water quality	GS, SS
Manganese	CA Secondary MCL	Can degrade aquatic habitat and water quality	SS

*Toxicity Standards
CA Primary MCL: California Maximum Contaminant Level
DTSC-SL: California Department of Toxic Substance Control Modified Screening Levels
USEPA RSL: United States Environmental Protection Agency Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants

2024 Rainwater Test

The PUC tested rainwater runoff from Beach Chalet and Minnie & Lovie Ward in 2024. The results showed unacceptable levels of Antimony, Chromium, Copper, Nickel and Zinc. They did not test for any PFAS chemicals or the potent aquatic toxin 6PPD-q. They did not quantify the amount of microplastic in the samples.

Offshoring Our Landfill

27,008 pounds of artificial turf from Franklin Square spent seven weeks in a container ships travelling 8,500 miles in 2017 to make our landfill their problem.

Aside from being offensive on its face, this undermines San Francisco's commitment to the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement. The City agreed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 with nature-based solutions to offset remaining emissions.

PUC confirms rainwater from Rec Park artificial turf fields is toxic, must be diverted to sewer

The PUC released this document as background of it's participation in artificial turf testing and policy. They evaluated how the City’s policies address stormwater infiltration, groundwater protection, and drainage design for synthetic turf fields, and assesses whether existing regulations adequately prevent contaminant migration to underlying soils and groundwater. The memo reviews local stormwater management requirements, low impact development (LID) standards, and groundwater protection provisions, and highlights concerns that synthetic turf systems—often designed with permeable bases—may allow metals and organic compounds associated with crumb rubber infill and plastic turf fibers to leach into subsurface environments. Contaminants of concern discussed include zinc, copper, lead, chromium, and organic additives such as phthalates, which are known to pose ecological risks to aquatic organisms and potential human health risks including neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity (for certain forms of chromium), and endocrine disruption. The memo concludes that current policies may not fully account for long-term leaching and cumulative impacts, raising concerns about groundwater contamination, downstream water quality degradation, and associated human and ecological exposure pathways.

RPD's Current "Talking Points" to convince you artificial turf is great

This is RPD's current attempt to make artificial turf look safe and also pretend they are not undermining the City's ambition toward "zero waste." We have added a page of notes to the end of the file.

Tell the SF Rec & Park Commission and your Supervisor about the kind of park you want.