Turf is incredibly damaging to the ecosystem due to the harmful chemicals and microplastics it contains.
“As it’s exposed to UV light, and abrasion, and slightly acidic rain, even more [perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances] will [leach] off,” said Kyla Bennett of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. “And it will get into the soil, the groundwater, the vegetation, surface waters, drinking water.”
Besides being dangerous for the environment, turf is dangerous for humans who stand or play on it. Not only is it hot enough to burn skin and even melt shoes, but studies have shown that PFAS in turf are responsible for a trend in cancers in professional athletes.
