Science & Legislation

Environmental Pollution | Volume 310 | October 1, 2022
Health Impacts of Artificial Turf: Toxicity Studies, Challenges, and Future Directions

Numerous studies have shown that chemicals identified in artificial turf, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known carcinogens, neurotoxicants, mutagens, and endocrine disruptors.

The Guardian | March 10, 2023
Artificial turf potentially linked to cancer deaths of six Phillies ball players — report
The lawn replacement — largely fallen out of favor in professional sports these days — contains large amounts of toxic chemicals

"A report on a possible link between a rare brain cancer that killed six professional US baseball players and toxic chemicals in artificial turf is raising a new round of questions over whether synthetic sports fields pose a health threat to athletes and others who use them."

California Environmental Protection Agency | March 2025
Synthetic Turf Study

Chemicals Detected in Biofluid Extracts and Air Samples attributed to synthetic turf, and not to other environmental sources like industrial facilities and traffic: Benzene (potential carcinogen; lethal at high exposure), 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Do NOT wash away into sewer. The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance defats the skin, which may cause dryness or cracking. Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause effects on the lungs. This may result in chronic bronchitis. The substance may have effects on the blood and central nervous system.), 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene (Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects; Avoid release to the environment), 1-ethyl-2,4-dimethylbenzene (Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause respiratory irritation), 2-ethyl-1,4-dimethylbenzene (Causes serious eye damage), butylbenzene (volatile organic compound [VOC] evaporates contributing to air pollution and potentially to climate change; difficult to remove from the environment), Benzothiazole, Butanal, Cyclopentasiloxane, Decamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, Octamethylcecane, D-Limonene, Dodecane, Furan, 2-methylheptanal, Indan, Mesitylene, Methacrolein, Methyl Isobutyl Ketone, Naphthalene, Octanal, Octane, p-Cymene, Styrene, TXIB "Kodaflex", Undecane, Acetone, m-Tolualdehyde

Washington Post | August 7, 2025
What's known about the other health risks of turf

The Children's Environmental Health Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai says there are "significant gaps in the evidence supporting the safety of artificial turf products" and they "strongly discourage" artificial turf playing surfaces.

Toxics Use Reduction Institute | April 2019
Athletic Playing Fields: Choosing Safer Options for Health and the Environment

"Children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals because their organ systems are developing rapidly and their detoxification mechanisms are immature. Children also breathe more air per unit of body weight than adults, and are likely to have more hand-to-mouth exposure to environmental contaminants than adults. For these reasons, it is particularly important to make careful choices about children's exposures."

Safe Healthy Playing Fields
The Problem with Alternative Infills
Choosing PBI (plant based infills) means using an expensive and controversial product that requires the use of carcinogens and many chemicals, in addition to being a respiratory risk. It means a headlong rush into other dangers with multiple and unknown angles.

PBI comes with its own risks, and has known issues similar to tire-infill (high temperatures, inhalation risks, lack of regulation, undisclosed chemical additives, etc.)

San Francisco Estuary Institute | May 20, 2025
"Forever Chemicals" Found in Fish through Most of Bay

A team of SFEI scientists tested fish samples collected throughout the Bay since 2009 for a notorious group of chemicals called PFAS, or "forever chemicals", which cause rampant harm in humans from reproductive issues to cancer. The research detected 20 types of these "forever chemicals" in total, including one never documented before in marine fish.

Los Angeles Times | September 17, 2025
As California installs more artificial turf, health and environmental concerns multiply
A growing body of research shows these carpets have the potential to cause harm in three main ways: burns, chemical exposure and injuries.

"I wish they'd stop calling it grass," Terry Saucier said. "It's carpet. They're taking green space, grass and dirt away from kids and laying down synthetic carpets."

City of Millbrae | October 24, 2023
Municipal Code Chapter 8.65: City of Millbrae Synthetic Grass and Artificial Turf Ordinance
The installation and use of synthetic turf and artificial grass landscaping is prohibited in the City of Millbrae.

The purpose of this chapter is to protect and enhance the health, safety and general welfare of residents and to protect the water quality of our watercourses, water bodies and wetlands in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the state and federal regulations and permits, including the Clean Water Act.

State of Colorado | March 15, 2024
Prohibition of Nonfunctional Turf, Artificial Turf, and Invasive Plant Species
Colorado Revised Statutes, title 37, article 99 signed into law.

Artificial turf can cause negative environmental impacts, such as exacerbating heat island effects in urban areas and releasing harmful chemicals, including plastics, microplastics, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, into the environment and watersheds. The general assembly therefore declares that preventing the installation, planting, or placement of nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, and invasive plant species in applicable property in the state is a matter of statewide concern and in the public interest.

Sharon, Massachusetts | October 12, 2020
Artificial Turf Field Moratorium
The purpose of this moratorium is to protect Lake Massapoag, and the Town's wetlands, rivers, streams, ponds, groundwater, drinking water, soil, fish and wildlife, as well as human health.

Current artificial turf carpets have known environmental and health hazards. They contain toxic chemicals, including flame retardants, plasticizers, and PFAS, a class of synthetic compounds that includes approximately 4,700 chemicals. PFAS are a particular health threat, as they are highly persistent "forever chemicals" that never fully degrade, accumulate in our bodies, and adversely impact human health even at low levels of exposure.
Artificial turf carpets are produced from petroleum. They are also not currently recyclable in the U.S. One facility in Pennsylvania collects turf fields for "recycling," but only recycles the crumb rubber that is removed from the plastic carpet. Current plastic artificial turf fields are also not biodegradable or compostable.

County of Santa Clara Supervisor Otto Lee
Plastic Turf FAQ

• Properly installed and maintained fields with more drought and wear-tolerant grass species can rival artificial turf fields in playing time.
• Plastic turf is not cheaper than natural grass
• Plastic turf does not save water compared to natural grass
• Plastic turf typically ends up in landfill dues to lack of facilities and high costs of recycling
• There is no plastic turf product that is completely free of PFAS
• The existence of PFAS in many products around us does not justify installing hundreds of pounds of it in our park

Gothamist | March 2, 2025
Turf wars: NYC Council bill would ban artificial grass in city parks

" We saw that after a rain, the blades of artificial grass, the green dyes and the little infill beads were flowing into the East River. We looked into it and we learned these substances pollute our waterways."

Spectrum News 1 | March 22, 2024
Cities and counties regain power to ban artificial turf for environmental push

Charles Miller and the LA Chapter of the Climate Reality Project are reaching out to Los Angeles City leaders advocating for them to adopt a ban on new installations of turf, and so far the city has told him they are looking into it.

California Constitution
SB-676 Local ordinances and regulations: drought-tolerant landscaping.

Summary of SB-676 amendment to Section 53087.7 of the Government Code: Drought-tolerant landscaping using living plant material addresses long-term water conservation. Synthetic grass or artificial turf are not considered drought-tolerant. Cities and counties cannot prohibit the installation of drought-tolerant landscaping using living plant material on residential property, however they can prohibit synthetic grass or artificial turf.