A summary of the report: Synthetic Turf in Public Spaces – Chemical Composition of Materials

This blog is a summary of the report conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) Synthetic Turf in Public Spaces – Chemical Composition of Materials, written for the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (Jazbec & Florin, 2022). 

What is Astroturf? 

Astroturf was originally developed as a substitute for concrete in urban areas, then found use in replacing real grass in indoor sports fields that lack sunlight (AstroTurf®, n.d.). It has now become an everyday item used in households, schools and playgrounds. Over time, various types of astroturf have been specifically designed for different sports, including soccer and hockey, tailored to meet the needs of each game. 

What’s the Problem? 

Astroturf is often marketed as an eco-friendly, low-maintenance alternative to natural grass. It’s also perceived as a safer option for individuals with grass allergies. However, this image can be misleading. Here’s why: 

1. Materials Used 

Astroturf is typically made from a blend of plastics and chemicals, including: 

• Nylon 
  • Resilient and UV-resistant but prone to causing “turf burns.” 

• • Semi-permeable, absorbing water and potentially leaching chemicals like heavy metals. 

• Polyethylene 

• • Durable and soft, offering a realistic look. 

• • Susceptible to UV degradation without stabilisers. 

• Polypropylene 

• • Lightweight and moisture-resistant but flattens easily and lacks durability. 

Other materials include: 

• Backing layers of urethane or latex, sometimes containing trace amounts of heavy metals. 

• Infill materials, often recycled tyre crumbs, which may release hazardous compounds like heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). 

• Shock pads for cushioning, made from polyurethane-bound rubber or other factory materials. 

• Colour pigments 

These materials not only have a high carbon footprint during production but also pose potential health and environmental risks. 

2. Maintenance Issues 

Contrary to the “low-maintenance” claim, astroturf requires significant upkeep to remain usable and safe: 

• Grooming and decompaction are necessary to maintain its structure. 

• Cleaning often involves flushing bodily fluids (such as sweat and saliva) with water or treating surfaces with antibacterial solutions containing detergents and ultraviolet light. 

• Infill top-ups, as materials like sand or rubber wear away or are displaced over time. In New South Wales (NSW), for instance, an estimated 252 tonnes of infill material is added annually to maintain synthetic fields! 

These processes may introduce additional chemicals into the environment, raising further concerns about pollution. 

3. Health Risks 

Excessive levels of lead have been found in some artificial turf fibres made of nylon or polyethylene/nylon blends. Nylon can also cause “turf burn” injuries and contains elevated levels of heavy metals from colour pigments and UV inhibitors.  

Moreover, the rubber infill material often consists of recycled tyres, which can leach harmful compounds, including: 

• Nitrosamines 

• Benzothiazoles 

• Secondary amines 

Ok so astroturf is not as eco-friendly and low-maintenance as is thought, but how is this affecting us?

Environmental and Health Concerns 

Astroturf poses several environmental and health challenges: 

1. Chemical Leaching 

Recycled tyre infills and synthetic fibres can leach contaminants into the environment, including: 

• Heavy metals (e.g., zinc, lead, cadmium). 

• PAHs from extender oils and carbon black used in rubber production. 

• VOCs that emit higher concentrations at elevated temperatures. 

While most leaching levels fall within regulatory limits, cumulative and long-term exposure impacts are still unclear. 

2. Microplastics 

Synthetic turf degrades over time, shedding microplastic particles into the environment. Studies estimate an average loss of 3 tonnes of infill per pitch annually, contributing to pollution in nearby ecosystems. 

3. Carbon Footprint 

The production and disposal of synthetic turfs contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Australia consumed nearly 3.5 million tonnes of plastic in 2019-20, with only 40% locally manufactured and minimal recycling rates. 

Call To Action 

In Australia, the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 provides a framework for managing synthetic turf impacts, focusing on recycling and waste reduction. However, there are no specific regulations for PAHs, VOCs, or heavy metals in synthetic turfs in NSW. Additionally, guidelines are being proposed for sports fields but not private, residential streetscapes or play spaces. Globally, initiatives like the EU’s REACH regulation and FIFA’s Quality Programme include toxicology testing for synthetic fields.  

What can we do: 

• Advocate for regulation changes 

• Reduce your use of astroturf 

• Educate yourself and others 

Adopting similar standards locally could improve environmental and safety outcomes. 

Conclusion 

While astroturf has become a popular alternative to natural grass, its environmental and health implications cannot be ignored. From chemical leaching to microplastic pollution, it’s clear that better materials, stricter regulations, and sustainable design principles are necessary. By advancing product stewardship and circular economy practices, we can reduce its impact and develop safer, more eco-friendly solutions for the future. 

What is the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020? 

The concept of a circular economy has been at the forefront of the change imposed by the Australian Government. A circular economy (CE) model aims to keep materials and products in use for as long as possible, working to mitigate climate change, biodiversity loss and landfills.  The Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 (RAWR 2020) is the main Commonwealth legislation that supports action on CE, resource recovery and waste management. It aims to regulate the export of certain waste materials from Australia and establishes a framework for product stewardship through voluntary, co-regulatory and mandatory approaches.  

RAWR 2020 has four main objectives:  

1. To reduce the impact on human and environmental health of products, waste from products and waste material, including by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted, energy and resources used and water consumed in connection with products, waste from products and waste material.  
2. To realise the community and economic benefits of taking responsibility for products, waste from products and waste material.  
3. To develop a circular economy that maximises the continued use of products and waste material over their life cycle and accounts for their environmental impacts. 
4. To contribute to Australia meeting its international obligations. 

The objectives will be achieved by: 

1.  Regulating the export of waste material to promote its management in an environmentally sound way.  
2. Encourage and regulate the reuse, remanufacture, recycling and recovery of products, waste from products and waste material in an environmentally sound way.  
3. Encourage and regulate manufacturers, importers, distributors, designers and other persons to take responsibility for products, including by taking action that relates to:  

a. Reducing or avoiding generating waste through improvements in product design 

b. Improving the durability, reparability and reusability of product 

c. Managing products throughout their life cycle 

Want to read the full report or learn what NSW government are doing? Click HERE! for the report, HERE  for guidelines or HERE for public spaces.

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Reference List 

AstroTurf®. (n.d.). The story behind the product that revolutionized sports surfaces. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://astroturf.com/astroturf-the-story-behind-the-product-that-revolutionized-sports-surfaces/ 

Jazbec, M., & Florin, N. (2022). Synthetic Turf in Public Spaces – Chemical composition of materials. A summary report prepared for the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer by Institute for Sustainable Futures. Institute for Sustainable Futures. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380856085_SYNTHETIC_TURF_IN_PUBLIC_SPACES_CHEMICAL_COMPOSITION_OF_MATERIALS 

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