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KR Creative Team
Feb 21, 20233 min read

Tires are for Wheels, Not for Fields


Sure, that seems obvious. So it may surprise you to hear that there are 12,000-13,000 synthetic turf fields across the nation where our children and athletes are inhaling toxic granules from car tires.


Old, ground up tires, sometimes referred to as “crumb rubber,” are used as a base layer for synthetic turf fields to provide padding and keep fake grass upright. On the surface, that sounds like an intriguing way to “recycle” old tires, but the crumb rubber and plastic grass have been found to contain a class of chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that are linked to a range of serious health risks.


What is PFAS?

If you look up PFAS, you’ll find a lot of references to “forever chemicals.” That’s because PFAS chemicals are nearly indestructible. They don’t break down. In fact, they spread easily and can build up in water supplies, soil, animals, and the human body.


What’s the Risk?

It doesn’t take much imagination to see that allowing our kids and athletes to breathe in forever chemicals may present some unintended, yet very serious health risks.


PFAS chemicals are considered an emerging contaminant, meaning they’re the focus of active research. While our understanding of the relationship between PFAS and human health continues to evolve, the EPA states that, “Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.”


According to the Washington State Department of Health, the list of health issues that may be linked to PFAS exposure include:

  • Increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer.

  • Increased risk of thyroid disease.

  • Increased cholesterol levels.

  • Decreased birth weights.

  • Changes in liver enzymes that indicate liver damage.

  • Increased risk of blood pressure problems during pregnancy.

  • Decreased immune response to vaccines.

Forever Chemicals in Our Fields

It’s not a question of whether PFAS chemicals are in synthetic turf fields — they are. The question is how exposure to PFAS in fake turf may impact our health and the health of our children.


In 2019, the EPA acknowledged that synthetic turf contains toxic chemicals, including some that are known to cause cancer. When the Ecology Center and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) tested eight samples of synthetic turf, all results suggested the presence of PFAS.


People may be exposed to these toxins by touching the toxic turf or breathing in chemicals that off-gas into the air. There’s also concern that crumbs could get into shoes and clothing, providing an entry way for forever chemicals to enter our cars and homes.


Perhaps most concerning is that children — who are playing on these fields most frequently — may be most susceptible to harmful impacts from PFAS. According to the EPA:


“Because children are still developing, they may be more sensitive to the harmful effects of chemicals such as PFAS. They can also be exposed more than adults because children drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, which can increase their exposure to PFAS.”


The Solution - Keep it Real

Tires weren’t designed to be part of a childrens’ play space or an athletic field.


The solution is to replace toxic turf fields with natural grass and sod. Not only is real grass tire-free, grass also functions as a bio-filter that keeps pollutants from entering surface water. Other benefits to human health and the environment include:

  • It’s cooling. Real grass is cooler than artificial turf by 40+ degrees (F) and helps lower temperatures in community spaces.

  • It’s a carbon collector. An average natural grass soccer field collects and stores up to 300 pounds of carbon per year.

  • It’s softer and safer. On natural grass, athletes experience fewer non-contact injuries. It also cushions falls and is less likely to cause “turf burns” (abrasions from skin-on-turn skids).

Fake turf requires more research to fully assess its toxicity and relationship to human and environmental health issues, and studies show cause for serious concern. Real grass is natural, and the key research we need is more regionally specific guidance on optimal grass seed blends and management for local climates and conditions.


Tires are for wheels, not for fields. Contact leaders in your community — at your schools and local government — to make sure they’re keeping it real with natural grass.


 

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