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Australian government scientists have expressed increasing concerns about the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by synthetic turf, and they are calling for further investigation and regulation of its use. A new report by the Chief Scientist of New South Wales (NSW) reveals the presence of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, in the rubber infill of synthetic turf. However, it is still important to find out if there is a risk of migration or if it is just a presence.

The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) – a non-profit trade association serving the synthetic turf industry – has recently shared the latest edition of the STC Guidelines for the Essential Elements of Synthetic Turf Systems, curated to provide reliable guidance on the essential elements for creating an unbiased specification for synthetic turf systems. According to STC, new advertising support helped the assocoation to offer the 2024 edition FREE to download. Feel free to spread the word and take advantage of this valuable resource.

A company from Auckland, New Zealand, is giving new life to scrap tire rubber mixed with plastic waste, which would otherwise end up being stockpiled or landfilled. Using an up-to-date technology, the company is turning the materials into a base for sports fields. Ecocept reports that it produces synthetic turf underlayer pads from a mix of ground plastics and old car tires, replacing the traditional rock and rubber sports pads beneath synthetic turf.

Synthetic Turf Council has announced its plans to hold 2019 Spring Membership Meeting and its second annual Awards Ceremony on March 11-13 in Washington DC, at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. It is still possible to present candidates for the Awards Ceremony as nominations will remain open until January 31. To apply, proceed to the website of Synthetic Turf Council The STC event will kick off with exceptional networking at the Welcome Reception and Exhibitor Showcase on March 11.

EC is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the synthetic turf industry in several Member States. The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices. The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the national competition authorities of the Member States where the inspections were carried out.

Learn about the developments of chemical recycling and how it works for artificial turf at the upcoming online webinar by Synthetic Turf Council (STC): Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023 Time: 11:00 AM (EST), UTC -5 Environmental responsibility is an important issue for the turf industry and it is critical to stay informed about the latest advancements. In this webinar, STC takes a closer look at the process of chemical recycling and uncover the opportunities and challenges it presents for end-of-life turf.

In 2021, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is continuing undertaking efforts to ban crumb rubber – recycled rubber granulate from shredded end-of-life tires – from artificial turf and playgrounds. ECHA’s intent to restrict the use of crumb rubber started back in 2019 when the organization, allegedly, found a scientific evidence against the use of recycled tire rubber in synthetic turf. Despite ECHA’s assertions, there hasn’t been a single scientific proof of human health risks caused by crumb rubber in other studies and research carried out by numerous research institutions worldwide.

Dеpаrtmеnt of Hеаlth of Wаshington Stаtе rеcеntly publishеd а rеsеаrch rеport on risks of cаncеr аmong Wаshington’s soccеr tеаms. Thе rеsеаrch intеndеd to rеspond to concеrns of cаncеr cаsеs аmong thе soccеr plаyеrs bеcаusе of plаying on synthеtic turf fiеlds. Thе soccеr coаch from thе Univеrsity of Wаshington submittеd а list of 53 formеr or currеnt rеsidеnts of Wаshington who hаd cаncеr in 2016 аnd plаyеd soccеr on аrtificiаl turf fiеlds bеforе. Howеvеr, this list without othеr еvidеncеs could not dеtеrminе whеthеr thеrе wаs а highеr cаncеr risk аmong thе plаyеrs thаn thе rаtе еxpеctеd in thе gеnеrаl populаtion of Wаshington.

The EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) takes note of the publication of the European Commission's recommendations for the implementation of limitations for the introduction of purposely added microplastics onto the European market (Annex XVII REACH1). The best strategy to limit microplastic emissions, according to the Commission, is to ban the sale of purposefully added microplastic infill for synthetic turf systems in the future (most often, end-of-life tyre shred).