Synthetic turf fields have been installed in many athletic and playing fields throughout New York City (NYC), let alone the world. Many of the synthetic turf fields contain crumb rubber infill consisting of recycled, chipped/pulverized, used automobile tires primarily made from styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)…

Crumb rubber granules contain a variety of chemicals typical in rubber, including semi-volatile organic chemicals (SVOC) and volatile organic chemicals (VOC). In addition, crumb rubber may contain some amounts of particulate matter and metals.

Recent concern about the potential for exposure to chemicals found in crumb rubber prompted NYC Department of Parks to request assistance from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). In response to this request, the DOHMH contracted TRC to lead an intensive literature review focusing on the potential exposures and health effects related to synthetic turf fields and to identify gaps in what is known.

The findings from the review were released in a report prepared by TRC entitled “A Review of the Potential Health and Safety Risks from Synthetic Turf Fields Containing Crumb Rubber Infill”. While potential health effects due to heat exposures were identified, an increased risk for human health effects as a result of ingestion, dermal or inhalation exposure to crumb rubber contaminants of potential concern (COPC) was not identified by the review.

The review, however, did identify certain knowledge gaps associated with exposure to synthetic turf fields and specifically recommended that air quality related to crumb rubber fields be assessed in the breathing zones of children. To address the recommendation the DOHMH contracted TRC to conduct an air quality survey (AQS).

The results of the AQS air measurements indicate the following:

• Of 69 VOCs tested, eight VOCs were detected in the air measurements. Although VOCs were detected in the air, there was little evidence of harmful levels. Also, there was no consistent pattern to indicate that detected VOCs were associated with the synthetic turf.
• For the SVOCs:
  None of the 17 PAHs tested were detected in any of the ambient air samples.
  Benzothiazole, which is considered a chemical “marker” for synthetic rubber was not detected in any of the air samples, including background samples.
• Of 10 metals tested, two were detected in the ambient air samples. Only one of these metals, however, was detected in the ambient air samples collected from the synthetic turf fields. Similar concentrations were found in both the grass field and upwind samples.
• Ranges of particulate matter (PM2.5) air concentrations from both turf fields were within the background levels found at the comparison grass field and upwind locations.

For further information please see the complete Air Quality Survey as pdf. file Air Quality Survey of Synthetic Turf Fields Containing Crumb Rubber Infilll.pdf