Artificial turf–cancer hypothesis

Artificial Turf is a collection of synthetic fibers that resemble the appearance and feel of natural grass. Due to its low maintenance, convenience, and being more hard-wearing and resistant than natural surfaces, it is popularly utilized in sports fields. Most fields and artificial turf use infills of crumb rubber from recycled tires; this use is highly controversial due to concerns of tires containing and expelling carcinogens, which more detailed research currently ongoing. While biological effects have been observed and studied within animal and laboratory studies, the effects within humans specifically are under-researched and limited as of right now.^[1]

An unpublished study by Rutgers University examined crumb rubber from synthetic fields in New York City. It found six possibly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at levels excessive to state regulations. The researchers warned that the findings could have been made inaccurate by solvent extraction used to release the chemicals from the rubber.^[2]

In a statistical study of the list of soccer players with cancer provided by UW coach Amy Griffin, public health researchers for the State of Washington found that the rates of cancer were actually lower than was estimated for the general population. While they did not state any conclusions on the safety of this form of artificial turf, they did recommend that players not restrict their play due to the presumed health benefits of being active.^[3]

In 2007, the California Office of Environmental Health Assessment (OEHHA) simulated interactions children can have with after coming into direct contact with artificial turf. Results showed that five chemicals, including four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were found in samples. One of these compounds, chrysene, was present at levels higher than the standard established by OEHHA. Chrysene is a known carcinogen, meaning it can increase the risk of a child developing cancer.^[4]

In late 2015, the United States Congress' House Energy and Commerce Committee ordered for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate a link. As of 2016, the EPA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were investigating.^[5]

In 2018, a study commissioned by the Dutch minister of Health, Welfare and Sport from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment found that "our findings for a representative number of Dutch pitches are consistent with those of prior and contemporary studies observing no elevated health risk from playing sports on synthetic turf pitches with recycled rubber granulate".^[6]

A 2019 Yale study showed that there were 306 chemicals in crumb rubber and that 52 of these chemicals were classified as carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They stated that "a vacuum in our knowledge about the carcinogenic properties of many crumb rubber infill. The crumb rubber infill of artificial turf fields contains or emits chemicals that can affect human physiology."^[7]

In 2020, the European Risk Assessment Study on Synthetic Turf Rubber Infill was completed; published in Science of the Total Environment, this was a scientific study funded by companies and industry association from the tyre granulate supply chain, drawing on data from diverse parts of Europe. The researchers concluded that "there are no relevant health risks associated with the use of synthetic turfs with ELT-derived infill material".^[8]

A 2022 study published in the same journal analyzed the composition of synthetic turf football pitches from 17 countries. It confirmed the presence of "hazardous substances in the recycled crumb rubber samples collected all around the world" including PAHs of high and very high concern. The study concluded that different stakeholders "must work on a consensus to protect not only human health but also the environment, since there is evidence that crumb rubber hazardous chemicals can reach the environment and affect wildlife." The paper did not, however, discuss cancer risk in any detail.^[9]

In March 2023, investigative reporters from the Philadelphia Inquirer bought souvenir samples of the old Veterans Stadium AstroTurf used from 1977–81 and commissioned diagnostics through the Eurofins Environmental Testing laboratory. The resulting lab report linked per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the turf. Six former Philadelphia Phillies who played at Veterans Stadium, home to the team from 1971 to 2003, died from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer: Tug McGraw, Darren Daulton, John Vukovich, Johnny Oates, Ken Brett, and David West.^[10]

In 2025, Northeastern University conducted a study examining the chemical transformations that occur as artificial turf degrades and breaks down over time. The researchers simulated natural and environmental processes, such as increased heat and sunlight exposure. They were able to replicate many of these environmental processes through a photoreactor to help accelerate the deterioration within the turf and crumb rubber that we would usually see naturally over time. Researchers found that the chemicals grew and multiplied into over 572 different chemical compounds. The study builds on the foundations of tire-centric research, most notably, they researched heavily on 6PPD, a compound that is found and used in the manufacturing of rubber tires that prevents cracking. When 6PPD reacts with our atmosphere, it mutates into 6PPD-quinone, a compound that is known to be extremely toxic and harmful to coho salmon. The runoff and presence of 6PPD-quinone within aquatic environments are highly correlated with rising mortality rates within fish species such as coho salmon. In addition to 6PPD-quinone, the study also discovered other harmful compounds that mutated from the degradation of crumb rubber, including 4-HDPA, which has been linked to a potential endocrine disruptor. However, researchers noted that many of the mutations and emerging chemical compounds have not been tested for impact on human health. Although the correlation is strong, researchers are working towards discovering causal chains between artificial turf and long-term health impacts.^[11]

Nigel Maguire, formerly a chief executive for the National Health Service in Cumbria, claims that his son, a goalkeeper, could have developed Hodgkin's lymphoma by playing on an artificial surface. He has called for a ban on the surfaces, saying "It is obscene so little research has been done."^[12]

In 2014, Amy Griffin, soccer coach at the University of Washington, surveyed American players of the sport who had developed cancer. Of 38 players, 34 were goalkeepers, a position in which diving to the surface makes accidental ingestion or blood contact with crumb rubber more likely, Griffin has asserted. Lymphoma and leukemia, cancers of the blood, predominated.^[13]

FIFA, the world governing body of association football (soccer), has stated that the evidence weighs in favour of artificial pitches being safe. The Football Association of England stated in February 2016 that they were observing reports and conducting their own research on the issue.^[12]

Research and modern testing have revealed the underlying truths that artificial turf poses to our environment and planet. Not only does it pose potential human health concerns, but it also poses concerns to our own planet's sustainability and longevity. A 2025 Sustainability Scholars report that was prepared for the City of Vancouver has helped bring awareness of this modern-day problem. Studies have suggested that the implementation of artificial turf kills not only the grass that it is replacing but also the organisms that live within the soil. These organisms, such as worms, bacteria, insects, and nutrients, contribute heavily to soil health and sustainability. On a mechanical level, it disrupts the ecosystems within the soil that are vital to Earth.^[14][15]

Artificial Turf has also been linked to decreases in biodiversity within the environments they are being installed. Physically replacing natural grass with artificial turf contributes to habitat fragmentation and reduced ecological connectivity. Artificial turf also releases microplastics and tire-derived particles to waterways and sources of irrigation. These harmful contaminants can enter the surrounding soils and waterways, raising concerns about water quality for both animals and humans.^[15][14]

Studies have shown that artificial turf amplifies the "heat island" effect that is already present due to other problems within the modern topic of sustainability. Research has shown that artificial turf can reach significantly higher temperatures in comparison to natural grass. Artificial turf can also retain heat, which is known as the "heat island" effect. Since turf has no natural processes to stop this modern problem, it continues to contribute to the rising temperatures and climate change we are currently witnessing.^[15][14]