Athletic fields are not always grass and dirt! Many community, private, and professional fields for recreation are made of artificial turf. Athletes of all ages and experiences can be directly exposed to the turf while playing, particularly through skin contact and inhalation.
Plastic green blades on the top layer resemble grass but, hidden, multiple levels of synthetic polymers support the faux grass. The subterranean layers are comprised of complex arrangements of chemicals, including plastics and crumb rubber. Crumb rubber, derived from old tires and therefore a petroleum product, is a well-known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Thus, artificial turf could negatively affect human and non-human animal health through exposure to crumb rubber, as well as other unknown turf components. Turf studies in the U.S. and China have found dozens of different chemicals that can negatively impact environmental health, from phthlates and bisphenols to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals.
Plastic green blades on the top layer resemble grass but, hidden, multiple levels of synthetic polymers support the faux grass. The subterranean layers are comprised of complex arrangements of chemicals, including plastics and crumb rubber. Crumb rubber, derived from old tires and therefore a petroleum product, is a well-known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Thus, artificial turf could negatively affect human and non-human animal health through exposure to crumb rubber, as well as other unknown turf components. Turf studies in the U.S. and China have found dozens of different chemicals that can negatively impact environmental health, from phthlates and bisphenols to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals.
One particularly intriguing way that artificial turf can negatively impact organic life is through endocrine disruption. Endocrine receptors accommodate different ligands (chemicals that bind to them) through drastic changes in structure and orientation. It is not unreasonable that some chemicals in artificial turf could bind to a hormone receptor and change its activity, either increasing (agonism) or decreasing (antagonism).
One of my projects investigates if artificial turf interacts with hormone receptors and, if so, which ones. Based on turf samples generously provided by groups from Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, and New Hampshire, I am using a cell reporter assay to determine which receptors can be activated or repressed by artificial turf.
Stay tuned for more results - the preprint (?) and manuscript should be submitted soon!
One of my projects investigates if artificial turf interacts with hormone receptors and, if so, which ones. Based on turf samples generously provided by groups from Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, and New Hampshire, I am using a cell reporter assay to determine which receptors can be activated or repressed by artificial turf.
Stay tuned for more results - the preprint (?) and manuscript should be submitted soon!
