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ERASSTRI - European Risk Assessment Study on Synthetic Turf Rubber Infill - Part 2: Migration and monitoring studies
Klaus Schneider1, Manfred de Hoogd2, Pascal Haxaire3
1FoBiG, Forschungs- und Beratungsinstitut Gefahrstoffe GmbH, Klarastr. 63, 79106 Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
The Science of the Total Environment
|February 25, 2020
Summary
This study assessed chemical migration from recycled rubber infill on sports fields into artificial body fluids and measured environmental exposure. Results indicate minimal health risks from synthetic turf exposure, informing future risk assessments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- End-of-life tyre (ELT)-derived rubber granules are widely used as synthetic turf infill.
- Concerns exist regarding potential human health risks from chemical exposure to these granules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the migration of substances from rubber granules into artificial body fluids (sweat, saliva, gastric juice).
- To assess exposure levels at sports fields through air and skin measurements.
- To provide data for human health risk characterization.
Main Methods:
- Migration tests using artificial sweat, saliva, and gastric juice.
- Air sampling and analysis for volatile and semi-volatile compounds on 17 sports fields.
- Skin wipe sampling from 43 athletes after playing on synthetic turf.
Main Results:
- Several chemicals, including PAHs and phthalates, migrated into artificial sweat.
- Elevated levels of some volatile organic compounds were detected in air samples.
- Aluminium was the only substance consistently detected on skin wipe samples.
Conclusions:
- The study provides crucial data on substance migration and exposure levels.
- Findings suggest limited exposure risks for athletes from synthetic turf infill.
- Data supports risk characterization for human health related to sports field usage.
