The science about artificial turf
Scientists have studied artificial turf’s impacts on people, the environment and other living creatures. Crumb rubber dust from automobile tires is one concern because it has many contaminants. Another is the PFAS that are used to extrude artificial grass blades. Another big issue is the lack of transparency by the industry. This report discusses the industry studies and evaluates their credibility.
Here are some additional resources:
Analyses of artificial turf impacts
Discussion on Martha’s Vineyard here; this letter summarizes concerns re testing only for the limited number of PFAS compounds that are regulated and recommends testing for total fluorine since it indicates if other, similar compounds in the large family of PFAS chemicals are present in artificial turf samples
Shrewsbury’s Sustainability group has a good summary of issues here
Town of Marblefield’s natural playing field management
The Atlantic reported on issues with recycling old artificial turf
Potential health issues for players are being studied locally and federally
Article summarizing studies at the federal and state levels to determine health effects for players
Articles about PFAS in artificial turf in Franklin here and another article here
Most studies have looked at impacts on players rather than risks of leachates entering wetlands or groundwater
2015 article summarizes Massachusetts town’s reactions
Impacts of crumb rubber and PFAS on people and wildlife
Two wetlands are located on Laurel Fields. Scientific studies have found that PFAS negatively impact larval amphibians, Northern Leopard Frogs and American Bullfrogs. Night-time artificial lighting has widespread impacts on wildlife.
Massachusetts guidance regarding PFAS is here.
Studies indicate that exposure to sufficiently elevated levels of certain PFAS may cause a variety of health effects including developmental effects in fetuses and infants, effects on the thyroid, liver, kidneys, certain hormones and the immune system. Some studies suggest a cancer risk may also exist in people exposed to higher levels of some PFAS. Scientists and regulators are still working to study and better understand the health risks posed by exposures to PFAS, and MassDEP is following developments in this burgeoning area closely.
U Mass Lowell studied PFAS and issued this fact sheet
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of thousands of chemicals known for their non-stick properties. Sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their all but indestructible and persistent nature, PFAS appear in a wide array of household items like frying pans, rain jackets, and dental floss. They are often measured in parts per trillion (ppt) and occasionally in parts per billion (ppb) or parts per million (ppm).
Studies show PFAS appear in the blood of 99% of humans and in far-flung parts of the world, including in Arctic seawater. They have also been linked to cancer, developmental effects, and other severe health issues by organizations including the U.S. EPA. At least two, PFOA and PFOS, have been phased out of production in the United States.
PFAS testing is difficult due to the large number of individual chemicals in the class, as well as the very low concentrations at which adverse effects may occur. Additional difficulties result from the fact that while methods have been developed for testing drinking water and wastewater, there are no consistent guidelines for testing solid materials.
An Overview of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment: Source, Fate, Risk and Regulations-includes many references - see here
Migration from soil here
Studies of leaching from synthetic turf fields containing crumb rubber find zinc levels were high enough to pose risks to aquatic life, and many showed zinc levels above the EPA safety levels for fresh water. See this report.
State of Connecticut study recommended addressing zinc in runoff from artificial fields.
An article in the journal Remediation summarized research about PFAS contamination this way:
The consensus message from the Symposium participants is that PFAS present far more complex challenges to the environmental community than prior contaminants. This is because, in contrast to chlorinated solvents, PFAS are severely complicated by their mobility, persistence, toxicological uncertainties, and technical obstacles to remediation—all under the backdrop of stringent regulatory and policy developments that vary by state and will be further driven by the USEPA.
But even if PFAS ends up being less toxic than currently perceived, their solubility, mobility, and persistence in the subsurface will yield contaminated footprints and plume volumes that dwarf those caused by more common contaminants (e.g., petroleum constituents, chlorinated solvents, etc.). Source: here
Concerns re PFAS in drinking water
New Massachusetts standards for PFAS in drinking water - press release
The Town of Wayland recently closed town wells that had high PFAS levels - PFAS information center.
A number of articles have examined risks of PFAS in drinking water:
Consumer Reports - reports on PFAS found in bottled water in Massachusetts
National Geographic - reports on study by EWG of PFAS in public water supplies
Science Magazine - reports on study by scientists at USGS and EPA
EWG - Environmental Working Group - article
Charcoal filters don’t remove PFAS; reverse osmosis filters are effective - study
PFAS have been found widely in soil - why this is a concern - article
WHDH news coverage of Wayland and statewide efforts to assess and remediate PFAS in public water supplies
Why PFAS in drinking water matters for Laurel Fields
There are wetlands on Laurel Fields and a stream that flows under Route 27 past the Everett Street neighborhood to another wetland complex, where it joins Indian Brook, which eventually drains into Broadmoor to the Charles River. If these wetlands are contaminated with toxic chemicals, it could impact groundwater and well supplies nearby. The fields also overlay one of only a few aquifers in town that could act as public water supplies if needed.
None of the issues of wetland connectivity have been considered in detail prior to Town Meeting as the Recreation Committee proposal was not brought to Conservation Commission for feedback prior to appearing on the warrant.
