Artificial turf has been a growing part of many different athletics facilities ever since its first incorporation in the astrodome in 1966. It has many different advantages such as reducing upkeep costs, recycling waste rubber (ever since the 90's) and withstands harsh weather conditions. Playing football in the past I can also say that turf fields allow players to "feel" fast playing on it as well. With this many positive aspects going for artificial turf we have seen a rise in its use, but concerningly the rise of cancer as well.
Artificial turf is primarily made of plastics, sand, and recycled rubber (usually old tires). From the naked eye, this doesn't seem harmful since all of these materials we use in day to day life. The real killer in artificial turf is the "black dots" or rubber being exposed to human skin at high temperatures. These black pellets contains mercury, benzene, and arsenic, all which are extremely toxic and dangerous to humans. The high temperatures release particles called PAH, which is also very harmful to humans. Researching the effects of these fields on athletes and cancer, Griffin compiled a list of 230 different soccer athletes that had some form of cancer. From this list, almost all of them were goalkeepers. This would make sense since this position is constantly contacting the ground because of diving for the ball.
Diving more into PAHs, these are varying hydrocarbon ring molecules that only vary in the amount of benzene compounds in each molecule. For example, Napthalene can be thought of as 2 combined benzenes while chrysene is 4 combined benzenes. PAHs are toxic to humans in many different ways including the irritation of eyes and air passage ways (in high amounts), blood, and liver problems. Low amounts of exposure and its effects are currently unknown. This, however, can be at least partially disproven by Griffins study. PAHs cause cancer by PAH metabolites binding to DNA, which impacts cell duplication within the body. It mainly affects fast duplicating cells such as bone marrow, skin, and lung tissue. This can explain why lymphoma was a primary cancer for this compound.
There has been many conflicting reports, however, if that the level of exposure caused by these black pellets actually cause cancer. Just because something has carcinogens doesn't outright mean that material causes cancer. There is a reason why different organizations allow different exposure levels that are considered safe. A 2013 analysis by risk analysis determined that PAHs in artificial turf were below detection levels. They considered the exposure "de minimus". Another 2013 study considered the exposure from athletes inadequate to cause any risk of cancer. Only workers installing the turf in a poorly ventilated space were considered at risk for exposure.
The debate to keep these fields open goes on. On one hand, not knowing if these fields are a risk to public health keeps those wondering whether or not it is worth playing on them. On the other, closing fields will cause a decrease in accessible spaces for exercise which in turn may increase risk in cancer. Its really a matter of which "poison" one will take. Think about the closing of gyms during the pandemic. Does closing the gym save people from getting the covid virus? Or will the lack of exercise decrease the quality of health for those individuals which in turn will make them more susceptible to disease? That is the type of decision many local governments and organizations have to make.
Citations:
Luzer, D. (n.d.). Artificial Turn and Cancer Risk . Academic.oup.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/108/12/djw311/2706944
Scott, T. (n.d.). Top 10 benefits of artificial turf. Heavenly Greens. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.heavenlygreens.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-artificial-turf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, March 2). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) factsheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PAHs_FactSheet.html
Good attention-grabbing title. Also very effective graphics. In a aggregating blog like ours it's a good idea to get to the point right off. You don'g give us the source in the text. You mention the findings of "Griffin" without telling us where his report comes from. The issue is a provocative one. The discussion of PAHs is relevant and important. Did you mean that PAHs are released from the rubber particles at high temperatures such as those reached on a hot day or high temperatures such as those only reached in some kind of industrial process. The carcinogenicity of PAHs (like in tobacco smoke) is quite well known. Your point about the trade-offs that public health officials must consider is well taken. By the way the danger of PFAS (perfluoroalkanes or "forever chemicals") in astroturf. Overall a timely post.
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