Artificial Turf and Playground Surfaces Archives

Municipal and Schools Budgets Proposed for FY ’19-20, Public Comments Focus on Turf, Ice Rink

Greenwich Free Press: January 25, 2019. NCHR’s president, Dr. Zuckerman, traveled to Connecticut to present information on artificial turf fields.

Press Release: After Less than 1 Year, Artificial Turf Field at DC Elementary School is Falling Apart — And It’s HOT!

Press release by Dr. Diana Zuckerman regarding the dangers of artificial turf like increased temperatures, chemical release, and more.

What are Artificial Turf and Playgrounds Made Of? Can They Cause Cancer? Obesity? Asthma? Lower IQ?

There is growing evidence that all artificial fields and playgrounds are made with materials that can be dangerous for children and adults. Our Center has testified before the Washington, D.C. City Council, and we are working with parents across the country who seek our help in convincing their communities to choose grass and avoid artificial turf whenever possible.

Children and Athletes at Play on Toxic Turf and Playgrounds

Is your child playing on rubber instead of grass at the playground? The use of human-made surfaces on playgrounds has increased dramatically over the years. Developed during the 1960s primarily for athletic fields, these artificial surfaces were also part of a strategy to provide children with more opportunities for outdoor physical activity, particularly in the inner city where outdoor playgrounds were scarce.The first artificial turf (marketed as “Chemgrass”) was made of plastic, yet looked a lot like natural grass.

Risks of Head Injuries on Artificial Turf Fields in Washington, D.C.

Professional athletes don’t like artificial turf for many reasons, and many parents feel the same way about artificial turf playgrounds and athletic fields. Artificial turf is made with chemicals that can harm children and adults, the fields also are much hotter than grass, and bacteria can grow in them. Some fields are also so hard that if people fall on them they are at an increased risk of getting a head injury.