Study Finds Volatile Organics In Turf Fields

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has completed its study on the tire crumbs used in synthetic turf athletic fields, showing significant amounts of four volatile organic compounds are released into the air when the material is under conditions mimicking a hot summer day.

The study says that crumb rubber, from ground-up tires, readily heats up under direct sunlight to temperatures 40 degrees or more hotter than the surrounding air temperatures, so subjecting it to testing in temperatures of up to 140 degrees is reasonable.

“Based on these data,” the study reads, “further studies of crumb rubber produced from tires are warranted under both laboratory, but most especially field conditions.”

The study was posted this week on the experiment station's Web site.

The authors, four analytical chemists at the experiment station, characterized it as a “very modest study” due to time and staff limitations. The study was commissioned by the nonprofit group Environment and Human Health Inc. of North Haven for $2,000 after it became concerned about the synthetic turf fields were being installed around the state without adequate testing. Locally, Montville High and Connecticut College have synthetic turf fields.

The four compounds identified in the study are benzothiazole, hexadecane, 4-(tert-Octyl)-phenol and butylated hyroxyanisole. According to information provided by Environment and Human Health Friday, benzothiazole is a skin and eye irritant that can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Hexadecane is a carcinogen, while 4-(tert-Octyl)-phenol can cause burns and is “very destructive of mucous membranes,” according to the organization. The fourth chemical is an irritant, it said. The information is attributed to the Material Safety Data Sheet for each chemical.
more from Environmental Health News