By: Aiden Chen
Edited by: Nicole Lee, Neha Tadikamalla
Artificial turf has long been touted as an effective, water-saving alternative to natural grass. However, that is far from the case, due to issues such as its toxicity and susceptibility to extreme heat.
The reason for artificial turf’s toxicity is the PFAs used in the infill and the plastic blades. PFAs, better known as forever chemicals, are not biodegradable and easily accumulate in the environment and people. PFAs from artificial turf can end up in groundwater and other bodies of water after it rains or become aerosolized after being exposed to heat, eventually entering people’s bodies. In fact, a study by the CDC that has been running since 1999 found four types of PFAs in nearly all the blood serum of those they tested, indicating widespread exposure (around 97% of the US population). PFAs in humans have been linked to numerous health effects, including cancer, liver and kidney and thyroid damage, autoimmune diseases, and birth defects. PFAs in the environment have equally disastrous effects on wildlife.
Heat trapping is another significant problem of artificial turf. Artificial turf can heat up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, while natural grass rarely passes 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat problem is so extreme that a few universities, most notably UC Davis, had to cancel their commencements due to people passing out from heat exhaustion.
Not only does artificial turf come with these severe risks, but it is also more expensive, both resource-wise and cost-wise, than natural grass. Artificial turf needs to be washed often to remove debris, such as animal feces, that could increase its toxicity, which can lead to a net increase in water usage compared to natural grass. A study done by Cornell finds that artificial turf also needs to be replaced significantly more often than natural grass, which typically never needs to be replaced, bringing in steep costs with each reinstallment. Even when compared to natural grass with its maintenance costs, artificial turf still comes out as more expensive.
The problems with artificial turf make their prevalence in schools extremely concerning. Thus, one of the steps we have taken is a campaign to have the artificial turf fields at a local high school, Saratoga High School, replaced with natural grass. We plan to start with the football field, as the artificial turf for that field is already set for replacement this summer.
Because artificial turf has a false reputation of being good for the environment, our campaign primarily involves education of authorities and the community of the problems with artificial turf. Some of our members have already spoken at a school board meeting. We also plan to speak at Saratoga city council meetings to ask city officials to pass a moratorium on artificial turf. In addition to school board and city council meetings, we will contact PTA members to garner more support from constituents.
Aside from informing the public, we are also tracking the movement of the old artificial turf to make sure that contaminants do not enter drains or end up polluting waterways, in which case we will confront the problem. Some of our adult members will also reach out to CA public works to also investigate drains for illegal dumping.
More support will always improve the run-out. If you are a constituent, you could reach out to the Saratoga city council or Saratoga High School’s school board. We also have a few petitions you could sign, linked at the bottom of this article. Finally, if you have special knowledge or expertise, it would be great if you could share advice. Help this movement gain impetus. Thank you.
Link to sign the petition to pass SB 499: https://chng.it/TcQdvWCM
More information about SB 499 may be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB499
Link to sign the petition to pass AB 1423: https://chng.it/nrbXhsJy
More information about AB 1423 may be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1423
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