Washington D.C.-Based Non-Profit Urges Nantucket To Reject Artificial Turf

To the editor: At the urging of concerned Nantucket residents, I sent a letter to the Board of Health regarding the health and environmental impact of installing artificial turf at Nantucket High School. I want to share that information with you. I am not paid to provide this information. I am the President of the National Center for Health Research, a nonprofit research center, and I have testified about the health impact of artificial turf at federal agencies and at state and local hearings and meeting. I am one of the many scientists who is also a parent and grandparent, and so I am very concerned about the impact of artificial fields on our communities.

If you were told that artificial turf is a low-maintenance and cost-effective alternative to natural grass, those claims are not accurate. Here’s why:

Health Concerns

Artificial turf fields expose users to hormone-disrupting chemicals and other toxic chemicals, such as PFAS, microplastics from the plastic grass, and particulate matter from both the turf and its infill. The fields become dangerously hard, which is why they are supposed to be tested for hardness every year (measured by Gmax testing). They also become dangerously hot and the surface increases limb injuries. These all pose risks to all who play on these fields, as well as to children and adults breathing the air on or near the fields.

As the plastic grass deteriorates from weather and wear, it sheds microplastics that are invisible but become part of the air that players and nearby spectators breathe. These particles can accumulate in the heart, brain, lungs, liver, and testicles, and cause serious harm.

PFAS and other hormone-disrupting chemicals found in artificial turf increase the chances of developing or exacerbating obesity, early puberty, asthma, attention deficit disorder, and more. Students and athletes may be exposed to PFAS, heavy metals, and toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through skin exposure or the air they breathe. PFAS chemicals are particularly dangerous because they are “forever chemicals” that do not metabolize or degrade, accumulating in the body, ground, water, and air over time. The EPA says some PFAS chemicals are not safe at any level.

Although BrockFill (included in Nantucket’s plans) and other companies often claim their products do not contain PFAS, that’s terribly misleading because they have tested just a few of the nearly 15,000 PFAS chemicals. Independent testing has identified potentially dangerous PFAS in artificial turf products.

Friction from cleats, balls, falling, and other routine use inevitably releases particles of synthetic turf materials into the air. Like other forms of air pollution, these particles (called particulate matter) can damage the lungs even when they are not visible, affecting not only players but also coaches and nearby community members.

In addition to the dangers of chemicals and particulate matter, there are clearly documented injuries caused by artificial turf. These include “turf burns” and musculoskeletal injuries such as ACL tears, ankle sprains, and muscle strains. Injuries are a major reason the NFL Players Association, the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association, and the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association oppose artificial turf fields.

Our testing shows that when air temperatures above natural grass reach 80°F or higher, artificial turf can reach temperatures of 160°F or even higher on hot and sunny days, causing burns and heat-related illness.

When even one spot on the artificial turf field fails the Gmax hardness test, the entire field must be closed or replaced. The fields can cost over $1 million each. In one community we worked with, 17 fields failed Gmax testing in the same year and were closed for months before replacement.

Environmental Concerns

Each year, nearly 5,000 pounds of infill materials migrate from every synthetic field into surrounding grass, streets, groundwater, and nearby streams. This is particularly important in Nantucket because the Nantucket Island Aquifer was designated by the EPA as a Sole Source Aquifer in 1984. Contamination of this primary drinking water source with PFAS, microplastics, or heavy metals would be devastating to your wonderful island.

As noted earlier, artificial turf continuously sheds microplastics as the plastic grass breaks down. They can be inhaled, adhere to skin and clothing, and are toxic to marine and aquatic life. Microplastics migrate into lakes, rivers, oceans, the food chain, and drinking water, where they can also absorb and concentrate other environmental toxins.

By contrast, natural grass and soil help protect groundwater quality, biodegrade polluting chemicals and bacteria, reduce surface water runoff, abate noise, and reduce glare. You will find that well-designed natural grass fields can tolerate heavy use and will be used and enjoyed for many years, making them at least as cost-effective as artificial turf.

Although small components of artificial turf fields are theoretically recyclable, the plastic grass, sealants, and most other materials can’t be recycled in the U.S. Instead, they end up in landfills, where the chemicals and plastic continue to contaminate the environment.

I understand that Nantucket is also considering a synthetic track surface. Most synthetic tracks are made of recycled tires or other rubber products, which have many of the same dangers of hormone-disrupting chemicals and particulate matter described above.

Bottom Line: Artificial turf would harm adults and children in Nantucket as well as the long-term integrity of Nantucket’s environment and water resources. The safer, more cost-effective choice is to oppose the replacement of natural grass with artificial turf and to instead prioritize safe, organically managed natural grass fields that protect both public health and Nantucket’s unique and vulnerable environment.

Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D.
President, National Center for Health Research