PFAS Forever Chemicals Found in Artificial Turf: Are Athletes at Risk?

It started with a warning from Greenpeace claiming that football merchandise made by Adidas, Nike and Puma for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was found to contain dangerous chemicals.

The environmental organization tested 33 items. It established that football shoes manufactured by one of the three brands had high levels of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs). It was 14 times the company’s restriction limits. 

PFCs are persistent pollutants that remain intact in the environment. According to the EPA, the toxic chemicals build up in the tissues of living organisms over time.

Fast-forward a few years later another toxic chemical was identified in synthetic turf. Similar but not identical to PFCs are PFAS, a more recent term for the chemical class.

Growing concern has been mounting over the use of synthetic grass in parks, schools and professional sports stadiums globally. And rightly so, PFAS contamination has been linked to several types of cancers and thyroid disease.

What Are PFAS Chemicals?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used man-made chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly over time.

The EPA says because of their widespread use, it’s challenging for scientists to study and assess the potential health and environmental dangers.

There are thousands of PFAS, with Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) being the most widely used and studied. They have been replaced in recent years with other PFAS.

The most concerning is that PFAS can be found in water, soil, air, food packaging, and personal care products.

An Unwanted Legacy

Forever chemicals made their way into the spotlight when the PFAS lawsuit captured the public’s attention. 

U.S. firefighters launched a lawsuit against the manufacturers of firefighting foam containing PFAS. Many cases focus on exposure to water contaminated by AFFF (Aqueous film-forming foam) firefighting foam.

PFAS litigation is increasing as affected communities and military personnel seek justice for the harm caused by these toxic chemicals. The latest PFAS lawsuit update has spurred the international community into legal action and garnered more research.

For instance, new legislation was passed in Florida. The Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances (VETS) Act mandates enhanced medical services and hospital care for veterans exposed to PFAS.

Athletes Likely to Have Higher PFAS Levels

TorHoerman Law says emerging studies reveal links between these chemicals and various health issues, which brings us back full circle.

Recent research has raised more questions about PFAS in artificial turfs. A study found that athletes playing on artificial turfs are more likely to be coated with toxic chemicals.

Public health advocates warn that artificial turf contains dangerous levels of PFAS. Exposure occurs when the chemicals break from the “grass” and are absorbed into the skin, inhaled or ingested.

Although the authors stressed the results were preliminary, they did say the findings pointed to what they suspected all along – artificial turf is a health threat.

What’s most worrying is that grass blades and backing of synthetic turf cannot be made without PFAS. Some are still produced with ground-up tires containing heavy metals and other carcinogens.

Football Players Most at Risk?

Goalies coach Amy Griffin started noticing a trend about 15 years ago. Young goalies were diagnosed with blood cancer.

Griffin tells KUOW that it got her thinking about their role on the field. They’re constantly sliding between the goalposts for a save and coming into contact with the infill used on 13,000 playing and practice fields across the U.S. 

Past studies refute the coach’s theory linking dangerous chemicals found in crumb rubber to cancer. Washington State determined that exposure to crumb rubber posed very low cancer risk for soccer players.

Meanwhile, Griffin’s list has grown to nearly 300 people, over half of whom have been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer.

PFAS Linked to Rare Brain Cancer

Last year the baseball community mourned the death of six former Philadelphia Phillies players. 

According to SBNation, they died from glioblastoma, a rare brain cancer, with all players in their 40s or 50s – three times the average rate in the general population.

Their mutual diagnosis of glioblastoma was even more alarming. They all played on the same artificial field inside Veterans Stadium.

Although studies are not conclusive, there appears to be a link between an increased risk of brain tumors to PFAS. 

Despite the mounting evidence, oncologists reiterate that it’s too early to link PFAS to cancer. They add that further research is needed.

While the PFAS lawsuits are ongoing and Amy Griffin’s list continues to grow, people desperately need answers.