Other considerations beyond those covered here, including the impact attenuation performance of materials, must be considered before choosing a material.
Proposed procurement goals:
- Eliminate crumb rubber for infill in all sports fields
- Eliminate artificial turf for all sports fields
- Require natural turf grass for all sports fields
- For natural grass turf, require organic turf management practices
- Where artificial turf cannot be avoided, 100% of turf selected:
- Does not use turf or filler that advertises antimicrobial protection
- Surface and synthetic fillers have been tested and do not contain:
- PFAS
- PVC
- Benzothiazoles, isobutyl ketone, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or PAHs
- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
- All toxic metals including lead
- Require strict VOC/SVOC testing for products that at a minimum are tested for: methyl isobutyl ketone, benzothiazole, toluene, styrene, aniline, m/p xylenes, o-xylene, 4-tert-octylphenol, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xylenes, formaldehyde, pyrene, and styrene
- Do not purchase shock pads that contain crumb rubber or PVC
- Use plant-based or mineral-based infill over synthetic infill
- Publicly post information on surface material use and VOC/SVOC testing on all fields where artificial materials are used
- Require disclosure of PFAS in all products considered for purchase: Michigan Executive Directive 2021-8, Reducing State Purchases of Products Containing Intentionally Added PFAS
- Require product ingredient disclosure on all contracts for the turf, filler, and shock pad
- Require end of life take back, recycling, or extended producer responsibility programs for products purchased
Case studies and resources:
- TURI: Artificial Turf and Safer Alternatives
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Artificial Turf and Children’s Health
- Massey, R., Pollard, L., et al. “Artificial Turf Infill: A Comparative Assessment of Chemical Contents.”
- Grassroots Environmental Education Report: Cost Comparison of Conventional (Chemical) Turf Management and Natural (Organic) Turf Management for School Athletic Fields
- Beyond Pesticides: List of products compatible with organic landscape management
- Children’s Environmental Health Network FAQs: Crumb Rubber & Artificial Turf
- Ecology Center’s Report on lead in pour in place (PIP) rubber playground
- Montgomery County, MD, NYC Parks and Rec, and L.A. School District all have bans or other limitations on the use of crumb rubber, and other communities and states are considering similar actions.
- EPA, ATSDR, CDC, and HHS Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Research Under the Federal Research Action Plan: Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization Volume 1