The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product and Safety Commission, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are in the process of investigating a link between artificial turf and cancer. The investigation is a result of claims made by individuals who were diagnosed with cancer or other serious health conditions after being exposed to artificial turf.
Artificial turf is used in thousands of sports fields, playgrounds and parks throughout the country and typically contains tiny black particles known as “crumb rubber” that are used as filler between synthetic grass blades. Because the “crumb rubber” comes from old tires that have been pulverized, artificial turf may contain the same carcinogenic materials (i.e., mercury, lead) found in tires. It is believed that these dangerous substances may cause cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia.