Is Artificial Grass Safe?

Harmful rubber granules

In 2016 the media reported that playing sport on synthetic grass may have health risks. Researchers say the rubber granules (not the grass) used on artificial sports pitches can contain harmful toxins.

This is not applicable to artificial lawns because rubber granules are only used for sports surfaces.

Rubber granules (also known as rubber crumb or rubber infill or EPDM) are spread across a sports field so that a football will respond in a natural way. For example, FIFA measure the ball bounce, ball roll and angle rebound of a football to ensure they are within acceptable parameters before certifying an artificial football pitch (3g pitch) as suitable for professional match play. The rubber granules are therefore essential for providing a playing surface for high level football. Unfortunately if you touch these rubber granules, some toxins may be absorbed into the skin.

One article in The Telegraph states – “Dr Andrew Thorley, a lecturer in Lung Cell Biology at Imperial College London… acknowledges that compounds found in the rubber crumb have been known to lead to the development of cancer”. This is not surprising because the rubber crumb is usually obtained from recycled truck tyres, which may contain arsenic, chromium and lead. The Telegraph article continues to explain that goalkeepers tend to be the worst affected as they have more contact with the pitch due to diving for the ball. You can find a link to the full article in The Telegraph at the bottom of this page.