Human exposure to chemicals in artificial turf

Artificial turf fields contain crumb rubber infill recycled from tires. Studies have shown that rubber crumb taken from synthetic turf fields contain hazardous materials such as volatile organic chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and semi volatile organic chemicals (SVOCs). Over the past several years, worldwide public health concerns have been raised about the potential exposure of athletes to these compounds through inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact with tire crumb rubber. However, exposure and health data are very limited.

We are using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and questionnaire data to assess human exposure and short-term health effects, leading the way for functional studies and interventions.