^t Outlook
MSC Comment - Item #2 - Please Support a Municipal Moratorium on Plastic Fields From Ana Sanchez
Date Tue 6/23/2026 3:27 PM
To Gao, Beilei <[email protected]>
Cc Hampton, Tyron <[email protected]>; Cole, Rick <[email protected]>; Jones, Justin <j[[email protected]>; Lyon, Jason <[email protected]> [You don't often get email from
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Dear Members of the Pasadena Municipal Services Committee, I urge you to place a moratorium on the use of artificial turf fields in Pasadena parks and city facilities.
These "fake fields" routinely reach temperatures of 140-180°F on hot days - conditions that are becoming more common - posing serious risks of burns, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, especially for children and athletes. In contrast, natural grass remains significantly cooler.
Artificial turf also sheds microplastics and can expose users to harmful chemicals from crumb rubber infill, including heavy metals and other toxic compounds. These materials then enter our stormwater system, environment, and waterways, contributing to long-term public health concerns.
Unlike living grass, synthetic fields provide no environmental benefits. They do not cool the air, support biodiversity, or absorb stormwater, and may worsen flooding. They also create significant waste, as fields must be replaced every 8-10 years and are not recyclable.
Natural grass fields are the safer, cooler, and more future-proof choice for our community.
Sincerely,
Ana De La Torre
Sent from my iPhone
VS Outlook
Special Meeting 23 June 2026, Synthetic Turf. FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD From D Woelke
Date Tue 6/23/2026 3:32 PM
To Gao, Beilei <[email protected]>
8) 3 attachments (10 MB)
General letter June 2026.pdf; synthetic turf flyer Spanish.pdf; Synthetic Turfflyer.pdf; You don't often get email fromLearn why this is important [A] CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert BuHon (PAB). For more information about the PAB view article "KB0011474" on the DolT portal.
Dear Chair, Vice Chair, and Members of the MSC Committee:
We are writing to you today with grave concerns regarding the judgement made by the Director of Parks and Recreation is making for materials to be used in the City of Pasadena, a severe wildfire zone, as well as the sports, or greenwashing, that has been disseminated for years, even predating tenure with the City of Pasadena.
The use of coconut coir as infill, does not mitigate the highly toxic, non-communicable diseases and even cancers known to exist with use of synthetic turf. We urge you to not ignore the abundance of peer- reviewed literature, as opposed to that funded by the synthetic turf industry.
To suggest that coconut coir is acceptable as infill, is beyond all credibility. Living in a severly high risk wildfire zone should shut down all conversation regarding the infill.
Additionally, coconut coir is sourced in Indonesia. Coconut shells are put in highly polluted rivers, arguably the most polluted in the world, for 3 months. Bacteria is added, to hasten the softening, making it easier to rhett the shells- remove the insides of the brown shell. This is often undertaken by mom and pop shops with dangerous, outdated machinery, which poses a risk to the machine operator. Hands and forearms have been lost.
Further, synthetic turf is a wildfire risk. It is a fossil fuel-based plastic product. More information can be found in the attached document.
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We cannot express our alarm strongly enough, and urge you to reject synthetic turf for any use in Pasadena. A full ban is indicated. CA now has 5 cities with bans, with San Fernanda joining the list in April of this year.
We also recommend an investigation into the undertakings that have occurred leading to the continued support of synthetic turf by the Parks and Recreation Department, which continue to become more outrageous over time.
Do the right thing for Pasadena, not for those who are trying to force a yes vote.
Dianne Woelke MSN, Board Member
Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc.
https://www.safehealthvDlavingfields.org
SHPFI is an all-volunteer nonprofit 501-c-3
f SUE HEALTHY,
rPtAYW6FIEU»SlBEYOND P-ASTICS
11 Lltlt
June 2026 To Whom it May Concern: We, Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc., are writing to you about the planned installation of synthetic
turf
in
your
jurisdiction.
SHFPI) is an all-volunteer 501-c-3 nonprofit organization. We are committed to educating communities,
policymakers
and
elected
officials
about
the
health,
safety
and
financial
realities
of
plastic
fields
versus
grass
fields,
and
other
synthetic
surfaces
for
their
parks
and
schools.
Our
constituency
ranges
from
concerned
individuals
to
community
and
civic
organizations,
legal,
healthcare
and
science
professionals,
municipal
leaders
and
state
legislators.
Synthetic turf is made primarily from polyethylene, the most highly produced and discarded plastic
globally.
1 In 2024, SB676-Allen was enacted, allowing local jurisdictions to ban artificial turf. A legislative
analysis
noted:
“…emerging research reveals that artificial turf incurs significant environmental 1 Dixon, D (18 Aug 2018). “Plastics aren’t just polluting our oceans — they’re releasing greenhouse gases.”
UNADAP
(
United
Nations
Association
for
Development
and
Peace).
https://www.unadap.org/post/plastics-aren-t-just-polluting-our-oceans-they-re-releasing-greenhouse-gase
problems through pollution, chemical run-off, and lack of recyclability…[contain] PFAS, and
have
been
linked
to
numerous
health
problems
including
cancer,
kidney
and
liver
damage, birth defects, and harm to children’s health.” 2 To date, the cities of Millbrae,
3 San Marino,
4 Carmel,
5 San Fernando,
6 and Beverly Hills
7 have
enacted
ordinances
regarding
synthetic
turf.
A growing number other cities are considering the same.
Climate Change / Extreme Heat:
“Every Key Climate Indicator is Flashing Red. Humanity has just endured the
11 hottest
years
of
record.
When
history
repeats
itself
11 times,
it
is
no
longer
a
coincidence.
It
is
a
call
to
act.”
8 UN Secretary-General António Guterres, March 2026 Climate change is increasing the number of people exposed to extreme heat globally. 9 Young
children
and
the
elderly
are
the
most
vulnerable
populations.
As a fossil fuel-based, petrochemical plastic product, synthetic turf is a climate change agent, off gassing
methane
and
ethylene
day
and
night,
in
ever
increasing
amounts.
Methane
traps
90%
more
heat
than
carbon
dioxide
and
is
21 times
more
potent.
Land
based
plastics
produce
two
times
more
methane
and
76 times
more
ethylene
than
plastics
found
in
waterways
and
oceans.
10 ,
11 GHG
emissions
from
plastic
turf
are
estimated
to
be
527
tons
of
CO2e
over
a
ten
11 Royer, SJ (12 Nov 2018). Letter to Mayor M Bowser, Washington DC regarding synthetic turf. Letter to Mayor M Bowser
10 Royer, SJ, Ferrón, S, Wilson, ST, Karl, DM (2018). “Production of Methane and Ethylene from Plastic in
the
Environment.”
PlosOne
13(8):
e0200574.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200574&type=printable
9 Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Gregory, CH, Vanos, JK et al (26 Mar 2026). “Deadly heat stress conditions are already
occurring.”
Nature
Communications;
17:2590.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-70485-1
8 Conley, J (26 Mar 2026). Common Dreams: UN Climate Report.
7 Beverly Hills
artificial
turf
ordinance
6 San Fernando
artificial
turf
ordinance
5 Carmel
artificial
turf
ordinance.
4 San Marino
artificial
turf
ordinance.
3 Millbrae
artificial
turf
ordinance.
2 SB676-Allen. Assembly analysis (23 July 2023). Author statement. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB676
year period based on a model using a 84,830 sq ft field. 12 This does not include the entire life
cycle
of
of
the
plastic,
from
cradle
to
grave
and
complete
degradation.
Climate change presents a significant risk to student athletes. 13 An estimated 9,000 student
athletes
are
treated
for
exertional
heat
illness
each
year.
14 The
heat
from
synthetic
surfaces,
even
at
reasonable
ambient
temperatures,
can
contribute
to
injuries
due
to
an
athlete’s
diminished
functional
level.
Heat stress is a leading cause of weather-related deaths. Extreme heat can exacerbate underlying
diseases,
such
as
asthma,
cardiovascular
disease,
15 diabetes,
mental
health
disorders,
risk
for
accidents
and
some
infectious
diseases.
Heatstroke
is
a
medical
emergency
with
a
high
risk
for
death.
15 Huo, S, Pulido, TR, Archer, RS (8 Mar 2026). “Heat and socioeconomic deprivation compound to drive coronary
heart
disease
in
Los
Angeles.”
Front. Public Health, Sec. Health Economics; Volume 14 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1784078
14 Kerr, ZY, Casas, DJ, Marshall, SW, Comstock, RD (Jan 2013). “Epidemiology of exertional heat illness among
U.S.
high
school
athletes.”
J.
Preventive
Medicine.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23253644/
13 Morton, A (1 Apr 2026). “The Hetchinger Report: Climate Change Threatens Student Athlete Safety;” Hetchingerreport.org
https://hechingerreport.org/the-heat-is-on-as-climate-change-threatens-student-athlete-safety-states-try-to -adapt/
12 Magnusson, Simon, Mácsik, Josef (July 2017). Analysis of Energy Use and Emissions of Greenhouse Gases,
Metals
and
Organic
Substances
from
Construction
Materials
Used
for
Artificial
Turf.
Resources,
Conservation
and
Recycling Vol. 122 , July 2017, Pages 362-372 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.03.007
Children are not small adults. They are more readily impacted by heat illness due to:
● Heat production – Children have higher metabolic rates than adults which leads to higher
production
of
more
heat.
● Body surface area – Younger children absorb more heat because they have a greater body
area
to
body
mass
ratio.
For
older
children
and
teens,
increased
body
fat
and
low
fitness
levels
can
be/may
be
contributing
factors.
● Blood circulation – Children are less able to cool their body temperature by shunting their blood
from
their
body
core
to
their
body
surface
due
to
lower
cardiac
output
and
smaller
blood
volume.
● Sweat production – Children produce less sweat per gland and sweat at higher body temperatures
than
adults,
reducing
their
body’s
ability
to
cool
itself.
● Fluid replenishment – Children are less likely to self-regulate hydration if inadequately supervised.
● Between 2000–2019 approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred annually. 16 ● Heat-related deaths for people over 65 years of age increased by 85% between 2000–2004
and
2017–2021.
79 ● From 2010–2020, there were more than 5,000 emergency room visits and 60 deaths per year
due
to
heat-related
illness
in
CA.
17 A study published in 2024 compared natural grass lawns to xeriscaped lawns, and natural grass playing
fields
to
synthetic
turf
fields
within
0.5 miles
of
each
other
in
Los
Angeles,
Riverside,
San
Bernardino
and
Orange
Counties.
The
authors
note
that
recommending
xeriscaping
over
drought
tolerant
Bermuda
hybrid
grasses
will
lead
to
warmer
temperatures.
“During the summer, turfgrass residential lawns could be ∼ 40°C cooler compared to artificial
turf.
Despite
being
cooler
than
artificial
turf,
xeriscape
lawns
could
be
up
to
30°C
warmer
than
natural
turf
lawns.”
21 The image below is from data collected in 2013 and 2014, before the proliferation of synthetic turf,
then
believed
to
be
a
water
saving
measure
during
drought
conditions.
17 California Department of Public Health.(Rev. July 1, 2024).“CDPH Health Guidance for Schools on Sports
and
Strenuous
Activities
During
Extreme
Heat.”
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Extreme%20Heat%20Pages/extreme-heat-guidance-for-s chools.aspx
16 WHO, Climate change, heat and health. 29 Apr 2026
According to research published in 2025 by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the incidence of
heat
related
illnesses
rose
by
170%
between
2012
and
2023.
18 Research
conducted
by
TenStrands
on
the
impact
of
rising
temperatures
on
counties,
schools
and
students
has
shown
a
trend
toward
school
closures
or
remote
learning
due
to
extreme
heat.
The
report
predicted
more
than
120
days
of
high
heat,
impacting
some
1.6 million
students
would
occur
in
at
least
16 counties,
and
putting
them
at
high
risk
for
heat
related
illnesses
by
2025,
with
an
increasing
number
of
extreme
heat
days
impacting
a
growing
number
of
counties,
schools
and
students
between
2025
and
2055.
19 Research released in March 2026 revealed significant temperature differences in parks, schools and
playgrounds
in
Los
Angeles,
with
underserved
areas
of
South
Los
Angeles
being
hotter
when
compared
to
West
Los
Angeles.
The
differences
were
attributed
to
fewer
open
green
spaces,
more
concrete,
and
plastic
playgrounds
and
playing
fields
that
trap
heat,
with
temperatures
high
enough
to
burn
exposed
limbs.
20 ,
21 21
Douglas, JA, Fisher, JB, UCSB, Eastyards Non-Profit (6 Apr 20 26). ““Mapping urban heat from space reveals
dangerous
inequities
in
LA
public
parks.”
UC
Irvine
News.
https://publichealth.uci.edu/2026/04/07/mapping-urban-heat-from-space-reveals-dangerous-inequities-in-l a-public-parks/
20 Agatep, A, Fisher, JB, Tacazon, K et al (18 Mar 2026). “ Thermal inequities in public parks and open spaces
in
Los
Angeles
determined
by
remote
sensing
.
”
Nature
Portfolio
Journal:
Urban
Sustain;
(
6 )
61. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-026-00366-5
19 Cal Data Initiative, Extreme Heat
,
Ten
Strands
18 Merritt, TA, Bhatia, S, Solomon, C, Yu, A (Aug 2025). “Heat-Related Illness Trends at a Pediatric Health Care
System,
2012
to
2023.”
Academic Pediatrics ; 25,( 6), 102855. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876285925000804
Extreme heat caused eight schools in Harford County, two in Montgomery County, Maryland, and
52 schools
in
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, and all outdoor activities for Fairfax County, VA to close
schools
ahead
of
the
end
of
the
school
year
in
June
2026.
Human Health Impacts: Plastic endangers human health throughout its lifecycle. 22 , 23
● New research indicates 600 quadrillion microplastics are released annually from land based
plastics,
with
an
additional
26 quadrillion
released
from
ocean
based
plastics.
24 ● Children, other vulnerable populations, and workers are exposed to PFAS, phthalates, UV
inhibitors,
colorants,
antimicrobials,
flame
retardants,
and
other
chemicals
of
concern
used
in
the
manufacturing
of
synthetic
turf,
and
from
primary
microplastic
infill
materials,
and
shedding
secondary
micro-
and
nanoplastics
shed
from
plastic
fields.
● Workers involved in fracking, ethane cracker and manufacturing plants, mining sites (silica
sand),
those
who
install,
remove,
and
transport
synthetic
turf,
those
who
work
at
locations
collecting/selling
used
plastic
turf
carpets,
and
landfill
workers
are
all
at
risk
via
dermal
exposure,
inhalation,
and
ingestion.
24 Callaway, KR (22 Jan 2026). “Scientists just calculated how many microplastics are in our atmosphere.
The
number
is
shocking:
A
new
estimate
suggests
land
sources
eject
600
quadrillion
pieces
of
microplastic
into
the
atmosphere
every
year.”
Scientific
American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-just-calculated-how-many-microplastics-are -in-our-atmosphere-the/
23 Landrigan PJ, Raps H, Cropper M et al (2023). “ The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human
Health.
”
Annals
of
Global
Health:
89(1):
23,
1–215.
https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4056
22 Landrigan, PJ (6 Mar 2024). “Plastics, Fossil Carbon, and the Heart.” N Engl J Med;390(10),948-950. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2400683
● Microplastics have been found in virtually every human body organ and fluid. They are able
to
cross
the
blood/brain
barrier,
have
been
found
in
bone
marrow,
carotid
arteries,
semen,
both
maternal
and
fetal
sides
of
the
human
placenta,
in
the
stool
of
newborn
infants,
human
breast
milk,
and
more.
25 ● Inhalation of microplastics are associated with asthma, lung fibrosis, and lung cancer. 26 ● Microplastics are negatively impacting the cardiac health of those living in the coastal region.
27 ● PFAS, micro- and nanoplastics have been found in sea spray. 28 , 29
● PFAS has been found to act synergistically with microplastics to cause cancer. 30 , 31
● There is an age related risk for cancer from playing on synthetic turf: “…there are cancer risks probability occurs as a result of chemical exposure from artificial turf.
Cancer
risk
probability
for
different
age
categories
was
in
the
order:
7–15
years
>
3–6
years
>19–22
years
>16–18
years
>23–55
years
>56–70
years.”
32 ● Young soccer players in San Diego, CA were found to have PFOS (one of over 16,000 32 Mohammed, AMF, Saleh, IA, Abdel-Latif, NM (29 Mar 2023). “Hazard assessment study on organic compounds
and
heavy
metals.”
Heliyon:
(9), 4, e14928 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14928
31 Cirillo, F, Giani, F, Sergi, V et al (1 Mar 2026). “The hidden threat: Microplastics and cancer biology.” Journal of Hazardous Materials ; Vol 505, 141332. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389426003109
30 Sands, M, Sachdeva, A, Bukavina, Irudayara, J (1 Dec 2025). “Synergistic toxicity of PFAS and microplastic
mixtures
across
five
human
cell
lines.”
Environmental Pollution ; (386)127256. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749125016306
29 Lambert, S, Vercauteren, M, Catarino, AI et al (15 June 2024). “Aerosolization of micro- and nanoplastics
via
sea
spray:
Investigating
the
role
of
polymer
type,
size,
and
concentration,
and
potential
implications
for
human
exposure.”
Environmental
Pollution;
(351),
124105
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749124008194
28 Bø, S, Johansson, JH, Tunved, P et al (15 Dec 2021). “Sea spray aerosol (SSA) as a source of perfluoroalkyl
acids
(PFAAs)
to
the
atmosphere:
Field
evidence
from
long-term
air
monitoring.”
Environmental
Science
&
Technology:
(56),
1:
228-238.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c04277
27 Makawana, B, Khadke, S, Kumar, A et al (18 Jun 2025). “Marine Microplastic Levels and the Prevalence
of
Cardiometabolic
Diseases
in
US
Coastline
Counties.”
Journal
of
the
American
Heart
Association;
14(13).
https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.039891
26 Thapa, R, Schlesinger, MA, Panth, N et al (Jan 2026). “Inhaled microplastics and lung health:
Immunopathological
effects
and
disease
implications.”
Food Bioscience ; Vol. 75 ,108036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.108036
25 Marfella,
R,
et
al.
“
Microplastics
and
Nanoplastics
in
Atheromas
and
Cardiovascular
Events.
”
The
N
Engl
J
Med;390,(1),(900–910. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822
PFAS chemicals) on their hands after playing on synthetic turf. 33 ● The US EPA has declared there is no safe level of PFOS. 34 ● PFAS can be absorbed through the skin, posing increased risk for the multiple non-communicable
diseases
and
cancers
known
to
be
associated
with
PFAS.
35 ● Both new and used synthetic turf have been shown to cause endocrine disruption and negative
cardiometabolic
impacts
when
exposed
to
human
cell
lines.
36 ,
37 ● Published in Jan 2026, 600 quadrillion (600 followed by 17 zeros) microplastic particles are
released
from
land
sources
annually,
in
addition
the
estimated
26 quadrillion
particles
contributed
to
the
atmosphere
from
ocean
microplastics.
38 ● Due to the prolonged degradation time for plastic, synthetic turf is a consumer product that
will
continue
polluting
the
environment
with
micro-
and
nanoplastics,
toxic
chemicals,
and
bacteria
for
centuries.
39 ● Products used in best management practices (BMPs) contribute more secondary micro- and
nanoplastics
to
air,
water,
and
soil
than
they
prevent
from
leaving
synthetic
turf
fields.
● Synthetic turf releases 2k to 3k pounds of meso- and microplastic blades per playing field
each
year.
Newer
“no
infill”
versions
have
16 times
more
blades.
The
plastic
carpet
backing
and
shock
pads
also
release
large
amounts
of
microplastics.
40 40
Kole, PJ
, Van Belleghem, F
, Stoorvogel, JJ
,
et
al
(10
Dec
2023).
“Tire
granulate
on
the
loose:
How
much
escapes
turf?
A
systematic
literature
review.”
Science
of
The
Total
Environment;
(903)166221.
39 Chamas, A, Moon, H, Zheng, J (3 Feb 2020). “Degradation Rates of Plastics in the Environment.” ACS
Sustainable
Chemistry
&
Engineering
;(
8)9.
b
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b06635
38 Callaway, KR (28 Jan 2026). “Scientists just calculated how many microplastics are in our atmosphere.
The
number
is
absolutely
shocking.”
Scientific
American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-just-calculated-how-many-microplastics-are-in-our-at mosphere-the/
37 Kassotis, C (23 Sep 2024). “Endocrine and cardiometabolic toxicity of artificial turf associated materials.”
Video
of
presentation
at
NYU Langone Health symposium on plastics research. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8MDXyQKnFA
36 Siegela, KR, Murraya, BR, Gearhart, J, Kassotis, CD (2024). “In vitro endocrine and cardiometabolic toxicity
associated
with
artificial
turf
materials.”
Environmental
Toxicology
and
Pharmacology;
(111),
104562.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2024.104562
35 Ragnarsdóttir, O, Abdallah, MAE, Harrad, S (June 2024). “Dermal bioavailability of perfluoroalkyl substances
using
in
vitro
3D
human
skin
equivalent
models.”
Environment
International;
(188),
108722.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024003581#ak005
34 US EPA (9 Apr 2024). Fact Sheet: “PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation.” https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_general_4.9.24v1.pdf
33 Amenabar, T (Mar 2024). “Study eyes safety of turf fields for kids: Scientists team up with San Diego Surf
soccer
club
to
discover
if
‘forever
chemicals’
pose
risk.”
San
Diego
Union
Tribune,
originally
published
in
the
Washington
Post.
https://enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=7f93edcb-cd5b-4 f9d-b8e4-ed57343daefc&share=true
● Synthetic turf blades constitute 12 to 15% of mesoplastics found in waterways and the ocean,
and
over
50%
in
near
surface
waters,
41 as
reported
by
researchers
in
Australia,
41 Spain,
42 China,
43 Japan,
44 Canada,
45 the
United
Kingdom,
46 and
the
US.
47 ,
48 ● Microplastics are both created by, and contribute to, climate change, and impede sequestration
of
greenhouse
gasses
in
the
ocean.
49 ,
50 ,
51 ● Economic and social costs in the U.S. from plastic are conservatively estimated to be between
$436
billion
and
$1.109
trillion
across
the
entire
plastics
life
cycle,
from
cradle
51 Nawab, A, Khan, MY, Ihsanullah, I, et al (Feb 2026). “From pollution to ocean warming: The climate impacts
of
marine
microplastics.”
Journal
of
Hazardous
Materials:
Plastics
;
(2),
100032.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazmp.2025.100032
50 Shen, M, Huang, W, Chen, M et al (1 May 2020). “Microplastic crisis: Un-ignorable contribution to global greenhouse
gas
emissions
and
climate
change.”
Journal
of
Cleaner
Production;
Vol.254
,
120138.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652620301852
49 da Fonseca, EM, Gaylarde, CC (2025). “Climate change and microplastics: a two-way interaction.” Emerg.
Contam.
Environ.
Health;
4 ,
15. https://www.oaepublish.com/articles/eceh.2025.09
48 Shahariar, NK, Haque, A, Holsen, T, Baki, ABM (14 Oct 2025). “Land Use and Rainfall as Drivers of Microplastic
Transport
in
Canal
Systems:
A
Case
Study
from
Upstate
New
York.”
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/ca46e83151c4edefa27979d272ea4561/download_pub
47 SFEI. 2024. The Pulse of the Bay: Contaminants of EmergingConcern. SFEI Contribution #1219. San Francisco
Estuary
Institute,
Richmond,
CA.
46 FIDRA.org “Defra report states artificial pitches are the main source of intentionally added microplastic pollution
in
the
UK.”
45 Klasios, N (Aug 2025). “Understanding and Managing Artificial Turf Impacts on Rainwater, Urban Heat, and
Biodiversity
for
the
City
of
Vancouver
.”
Sustainability
Scholar
Project
2025-042.
https://sustain.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2025-042_Understanding%20and%20Managing%20Artificial%20T urf_Klasios.pdf
44 Harusato, A, Kato, M ( “ Mechanisms of Generation and Ecological Impacts of Nano- and Microplastics from
Artificial
Turf
Systems
in
Sports
Facilities.”
Environments
;
Vol
12 Issue
4 1
.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/12/4/109
43 Wang, T, Li, B, Zou, X (1 Oct 2019). “Emission of primary microplastics in mainland China: Invisible but not
negligible.”
Water Research ; Vol. 162 , Pages 214-224. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004313541930555X
42 De Haan, WP, Quintana, R, Vilas, C, Cózar, A et al (1 Oct 2023). “The dark side of artificial greening:
Plastic
turfs
as
widespread
pollutants
of
aquatic
environments.”
Environmental Pollution ; 334 , 122094. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749123010965?via%3Dihub
41 Mylius, K (11 July 2024). “ Keep the Fake Plants and Turf Out of the Surf: A call to action to reduce the use
of
artificial
grass
and
plants
in
our
cities,
preserving
natural
greenery
and
its
benefits,
and
cleaning
the
Ocean.”
SeaBin
Foundation,
Australia.
https://seabinfoundation.org/keep-the-fake-plants-and-turf-out-of-the-surf/ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166221
to grave (fossil fuel extraction, ethane cracking, production, use, disposal, and mismanagement).
52 See microplastic blades shedding from sports fields HERE (12 year old AstroTurf field), HERE (3 month old TenCate Pivot field), and HERE (1.5 year old FieldTurf field).
With babies being born pre-polluted with both microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,
known
as
PFAS
or
“Forever
Chemicals”,
and
the
rising
rate
of
childhood
cancers,
why
would
you
want
to
contribute
to
further
pollution
of
young
minds
and
bodies?
Based on data from 2018, the health care related burden of plastic related to disease in the U.S.
from
PBDEs
(
polybrominated
diphenylethers)
,
phthalates,
bisphenols,
and
PFAS
are
on
the
order
of
$400
billion
annually;
$66.7
billion
($64.7
billion-67.3
billion)
was
due
to
phthalate
exposure,
while
$22.4
billion
was
due
to
PFAS
exposure.
53 Health care and research institutions with resolutions on synthetic turf:
53 Trasande, L, Krithivasan, R, Park, K et al (Feb 2024). “ Chemicals Used in Plastic Materials: An Estimate
of
the
Attributable
Disease
Burden
and
Costs
in
the
United
States.”
Journal
of
the
Endocrine
Society:
(8),
2 .
https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvad163
52 Lauer, N, Vegh, T, Nowlin, M et al (July 2025). ‘The Social Cost of Plastic to the United States.’ Duke University,
Nicholas
Institute
for
Energy,
Environment
&
Sustainability.
https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/publications/the-social-cost-of-plastic-united-states.pdf
● The California Medical Association
54 ● Santa Clara County Medical Association
55 ● Children’s Environmental Health Center, Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York City 56 ● Physicians for Social Responsibility
57 ● Climate Code Blue (Physician activists)
58 ● The Consortium for Children’s Environmental Health 59 ● The Silent Spring Institute
60 ● Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, Univ. of Mass., Lowell 61 The Los Angeles Unified School District is transitioning away from synthetic turf in elementary and
middle
schools,
and
replacements
and
installations
at
high
schools
are
on
hold.
Sacramento
City
Unified
School
District
is
considering
the
same.
The
National
PTA
will
be
voting
on
a
resolution
on
synthetic
turf
in
June
2026.
Mental Health Benefits of TRUE Green Space: The lack of open true green, not fake green spaces, negatively impacts academic success, mental
health,
and
violence.
Natural
green
spaces
have
been
shown
to
mitigate
aggressive
61 Pollard, L, Massey, R (Aug 2024). “Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Artificial Turf:
Academic,
municipal,
and
other
testing
efforts.”
Lowell
Center
for
Sustainability,
University
of
Massachusetts,
Lowell.
https://www.uml.edu/docs/PFAS%20in%20Artificial%20Turf%20-%20Academic%20Municipal%20%26%2 0Other%20Tests%20Aug%202024_tcm18-386957.pdf
60 Silent Spring Institute (Sep 2024). Public comment letter submitted to DTSC, Candidate Chemicals in Synthetic
Turf,
document
id
9644.
https://calsafer.dtsc.ca.gov/workflows/Comment/15588/?from=search
59 The Consortium for Children’s Environmental Health
58 Climate Code Blue; Physician Activists
57 Physicians for Social Responsibility
56 Evans, SF, Harari, H (25 May 2025). “
Position Statement on the Use of Artificial Turf Surfaces.” The Children’s
Environmental
Health
Center,
Mt.
Sinai
Hospital,
New
York,
New
York.
https://mountsinaiexposomics.org/position-statement-on-the-use-of-artificial-turf-surfaces/
55 Santa Clara County Medical Association (24 Jun 2024). “ Policy Recommendation on the Use of Artificial
Turf
on
Landscapes,
Schools
and
Playing
Fields
.”
54 California Medical Association. (16 Aug 2024). Resolution 101-24: Removing Artificial Turf in Schools, Parks
and
Public
Spaces.
behavior in adolescents
62 and significantly reduce the growing risk of psychiatric disorders, 63 and
suicide
mortality.
64 Natural
green
spaces
also
reduce
health
risks
such
as
asthma.
65 The American Psychological Association finds:
66 “… exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower
stress,
better
mood,
reduced
risk
of
psychiatric
disorders
and
even
upticks
in
empathy
and
cooperation.”
Initially published in Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, Harvard:
67 “Studies have found that students who attend schools with green spaces tend to have better grades,
higher
test
scores,
and
better
attendance
rates
than
those
who
do
not.”
67 Bowning, M, Rigolon, A (1 Feb 2019). “School Green Space and Its Impact on Academic Performance:
A
Systematic
Literature
Review.”
Int J Environ Res Public Health;16(3):429. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6388261/
66 Weir, K. (2020). Nurtured by nature: Psychological research is advancing our understanding of how time
in
nature
can
improve
our
mental
health
and
sharpen
our
cognition.
American
Psychological
Association.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
65 Dong, Y, Liu, H, Zheng, T (13 Jan 2021). The Impacts of Green Space Structure on Asthma in Toronto,
Canada.
Med. Sci. Forum; 4 (1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/ECERPH-3-09123
64 Asri, AK, Tsai, HJ, Wong, PY et al (4 Jul 2022). “Examining the Benefits of Greenness on Reducing Suicide
Mortality
Rate:
A
Global
Ecological
Study.” Front. Public Health, Sec. Environmental Health and Exposome;;(10)902480.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.902480
63 Engeman, K., Pedersen, C.B., Arge, L., Svenning, J.C. et al (2019). “Residential green space in childhood
is
associated
with
lower
risk
of
psychiatric
disorders
from
adolescence
into
adulthood.”
Proceedings
of
the
National
Academy
of
Sciences
(PNAS.org)
of
the
United
States
of
America
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1807504116
62 Younan, D., Tuvblad, C., Lianfa, L. et al (2016). “Environmental Determinants of Aggression in Adolescents:
Role
of
Urban
Neighborhood
Greenspace.”
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry;
55(7):591–601. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27343886/
Injuries: I ndependent peer-reviewed research consistently shows significantly increased non-contact lower
extremity
injuries
68 and
concussions
69 ,52
particularly
for
children
52 playing
on
synthetic
turf
is
a
contributing
factor.
● 315,000 to 850,000 concussions every year occur among high school athletes. ● Repeated concussions increase risk of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)/ ● The Concussion Legacy Foundation reported that repetitive brain trauma is associated with
CTE
and
has
been
found
in
17 year
olds.
41.4%
of
athletes
under
age
30 show
signs
of
CTE.
70 ● In high school American football players, concussions occur when head impacts approach
95 g.
● For youth American football players aged 9-14; 62.4 ± 29.7 g was the threshold for concussions.
● Research published Jan 2024 showed significantly greater impact deceleration on synthetic
turf
compared
to
natural
grass
surfaces,
showing
greater
potential
for
concussions
on
synthetic
fields.
71 In a study of 953 student athlete injuries published in 2021, 61% occurred on synthetic, while 39%
were
on
natural
grass.
The
injuries
included
torso,
and
upper
and
lower
limb
injuries,
and
included
football,
girls
and
boys
soccer
and
rugby
teams,
in
descending
order
of
the
number
of
injuries
reported.
72 In a meta analysis published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, a comprehensive review
of
53 studies
that
focused
on
injuries
on
artificial
turf
vs.
natural
grass
fields.
The
systematic
review
of
articles
found
that
among
non-contact
injuries:
72 Paliobeis, A, Sivasundaran, L, Knapik, D et al (Jul/Aug 2021). “Injury incidence is higher on artificial turf compared
with
natural
grass
in
high
school
athletes:
a
retrospective
cohort
study.”
Current
Orthopaedic
Practice
32(4):p
355-360, https://journals.lww.com/c-orthopaedicpractice/Abstract/2021/07000/Injury_incidence_is_higher_on_artific ial_turf.6.aspx
71 Villanueva, N, Chun, I, Fujiwara, A et al (Jan 2024). “ Impact Deceleration Differences on Natural Grass
Versus
Synthetic
Turf
High
School
Football
Fields
.”
Hawaii
Journal
of
Health;
82 (1)
4-10.
http://hawaiijournalhealth.org/past_issues/HJHSW_Jan24.pdf
70 Ober, M (28 Aug 2023). 41% of Young Athletes Show Signs of CTE. Neuroscience News. https://neurosciencenews.com/cte-young-athletes-23847/
69 The Concussion Legacy Foundation. (2015). White Paper: The Role of Synthetic Turf in Concussion.
68 G oul d, HP, Lostette r, S J, Samuelso n, ER, Guyto n, GP (May 2023). “Lower Extremity Injury Rates on Artificial
Turf
Versus
Natural
Grass
Playing
Surfaces:
A
Systematic
Review.
”
Am J Sports Me; 51(6):
1615-1621.
doi: 10.1177/03635465211069562
“… [the] greatest proportion of articles reported a higher foot and ankle injury rate on artificial
turf
compared
with
natural
grass,
both
with
old-generation
and
new-generation
turf.
Similar
knee
and
hip
injury
rates
were
reported
between
playing
surfaces
for
soccer
athletes
on
new-generation
turf,
but
football
players,
particularly
those
at
high
levels
of
competition,
were
more
likely
to
sustain
a
knee
injury
on
artificial
turf
than
on
natural
grass.”
The authors noted that the few studies suggesting a higher rate of injury on natural grass “received
financial
support
from
the
artificial
turf
industry.
”
43 Exposure to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 73 and other bacteria
74 are a
potentially
life
threatening
consequence
of
dermal
abrasions,
known
as
turf
burns,
due
to
friction
on
synthetic
turf.
Inhalation
and
ingestion
are
additional
exposure
pathways.
Synthetic turf exploits natural resources, from cradle to grave, polluting air, water and soil throughout
its
predicted
1,000
years
it
takes
to
fully
degrade.
75 From fracking of fossil fuels, to
the
manufacturing
of
pre-production
plastic
pellets
(nurdles)
in
ethane
cracker
plants,
to
manufacturing
of
the
plastic
carpet,
transport,
use,
and
interim
and
final
disposal,
environmental
and
social
justice
communities
are
the
most
impacted.
76 California based agencies and research organizations concerned with microplastics and synthetic
turf
for
its
contamination
of
our
waterways
and
the
ocean:
● California Ocean Protection Council
77 77
California Ocean Protection Council Statewide Microplastics Strategy
76 Staff writer (25 Jan 2024). “US: Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ Dire Health Crisis From Government Failure to
Rein
in
Fossil
Fuels.”
Human
Rights
Watch
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/01/25/us-louisianas-cancer-alley
75 Chamas, A, Moon, H, Zheng, J (3 Feb 2020). “Degradation Rates of Plastics in the Environment.” ACS
Sustainable
Chemistry
&
Engineering
;(
8)9.
b
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b06635
74 Valeriani, F, Margarucci, LM, Gianfranceschi, G et al. (Aug 2019). “Artificial-turf surfaces for sport
and
recreational
activities:
microbiota
analysis
and
16S
sequencing
signature
of
synthetic
vs
natural
soccer
fields.”
Heliyon; 5(8): e02334. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6728760/
73 US EPA (6 Aug 2019). “U.S. Federal Research Action Plan (FRAP) on Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Used
on
Synthetic
Turf
Playing
Fields
and
Playgrounds.
Final
Report
Part
1 –
Tire
Crumb
CharacterizationEPA
Tools
and
Resources
Webinar.”
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-08/documents/tc_public_webinar_-_august_6_2019 .pdf slide 20
● San Francisco Estuary Institute
78 ● Heal the Bay
79 ● National Resource Defense Council
6 ● LA Waterkeeper
6 ● Sierra Club
80 ● Surfrider Foundation
81 ● California Coastal Commission
82 , 83
Socioeconomic and Equity Issues: Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and other minority groups, tend to live in communities that have
long
been
impacted
by
pollution,
climate
change,
open
green
space,
canopy
tree
cover,
84 and
cooling
centers.
These
communities
bear a higher burden of health-related
issues,
decreased
access
to
health
care
and
to
information
due
to
cultural
and
language
barriers,
and
often
feel
left
out
of
the
decision-making
process.
85 Environmental and social justice (EJ/SJ) communities have higher exposures to toxic chemicals in
air,
water,
and
soil.
86 ,
87 They
are
more
likely
to
be
located
near
oil
wells
and
refineries,
87 Terrell, KA, St Julien, G (13 Jan 2022). “Air pollution is linked to higher cancer rates among black or impoverished
communities
in
Louisiana.”
Environmental Research Letters ; 17 , ( 1 ). https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac4360
86 Shaw-Wakeman, T, Cunliffe, Z (2024). “The Life of Plastic: Black Women are Overexposed & Underprotected.”
Black
Women
for
Wellness,
Los
Angeles.
https://bwwla.org/the-life-of-plastic-black-women-are-overexposed-underprotected/
85 Together for Justice (n.d.). “10 Examples Of Environmental Social Justice Issues.” https://togetherforsocialjustice.com/environmental-social-justice-issues/
84 Leland, J (20 Aug 2021). “Why an East Harlem Street Is 31 Degrees Hotter Than Central Park West If
you
want
to
map
inequality
in
New
York,
you
can
just
count
trees.”
New
York
Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/nyregion/climate-inequality-nyc.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eE8.
JFJV.A60qNvjU75HA&smid=url-share
83 CA Coastal Commissioners comments on synthetic turf, synthetic turf, microplastics
82 https://www.califaep.org/docs/CEQA_Handbook_2025combined.pdf
81 https://www.surfrider.org/news/artificial-turf-why-we-shouldnt-choose-plastic-over-plants
80 https://www.sierraclub.org/san-francisco-bay/marin/synthetic-turf
79 Heal the Bay, NRDC, LA Waterkeeper, letter to LA Council File 24-0602 2024
78 SFEI. 2024. The Pulse of the Bay: Contaminants of EmergingConcern. SFEI Contribution #1219. San Francisco
Estuary
Institute,
Richmond,
CA.
underground gas storage tanks and pipelines,
88 landfills,
89 recycling facilities, SuperFund,
90 and
polluting
manufacturing
sites.
Inequities in outdoor greenspace experienced in environmental and social justice communities cannot
be
corrected
with
the
use
of
artificial
turf
playing
fields
or
playgrounds.
Impervious
surfacing
decreases
the
amount
of
green
space,
adds
to
the
heat
island
effect,
exposes
vulnerable
populations
to
toxic
chemicals,
adds
to
pollution
of
water
via
increased
runoff;
to
the
air
via
off
gassing
of
greenhouse
gasses;
to
the
soil
via
removal
of
topsoil,
compaction,
and
overheating;
to
all
via
microplastic
pollution.
Open green spaces and gardens around homes, workplaces and schools provide places to relax,
gather
socially,
and
recreate.
Loss of open green space impacts mental health via increased heat, and lack of air conditioning,
and
poor
air
quality.
It
increases
attention,
empathy,
cooperation,
lowers
stress,
improves
mood,
and
has
been
shown
to
reduce
psychiatric
disorders.
91 Green
schools
have
the
potential
to
improve
attendance,
grades
and
test
scores.
92 ,
93 Higher
levels
of
green
spaces
decrease
aggression
in
adolescents.
94 These
benefits
cannot
be
replicated
in
overheated,
densely
populated,
fake
green
environments.
94 Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2001a). Aggression and violence in the inner city, effects of environment via
mental
fatigue.
Environment
and
Behavior,
33,
543–3571.
https://doi.org/10.1177/ 00139160121973124
93 Kuo, M, Klein, SE, Browning, M, Zaplatosch, J (Feb 2020). “Greening for academic achievement:
Prioritizing
what
to
plant
and
where.”
Landscape and Urban Planning ; 206, 103962 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103962
92 Hodson, CB, Sander, HA (Apr 2017). “ Green urban landscapes and school-level academic performance.”
Landscape
and
Urban
Planning
;
160
,
16-27
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.11.011
91 Weir, K. (2020). “ Nurtured by nature: Psychological research is advancing our understanding of how time
in
nature
can
improve
our
mental
health
and
sharpen
our
cognition.
American
Psychological
Association.”
American
Psychological
Association.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
90 Johnson, M, West, C (27 Apr 2024). “EPA Superfund Sites and Poor Health in Los Angeles County An
assessment
of
community
health
in
a
5 mile
proximity
to
Superfund
sites
in
relation
to
health
insurance.
ArcGIS
Story
Maps.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/75978b4e605e42aa98c05c83acd7bd56
89 Lewis, R (22 Aug 2023). “ Toxic trash: California’s aging hazardous waste sites have troubling safety records.”
CalMatters.
https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/08/california-hazardous-waste-sites-permit-2/
88 Department of Public Health. (24 Aug 2024). “Community Health Profiles.” County of Los Angeles. “https://apps.gis.lacounty.gov/static/DPH/chp-reports/CHP%20Report%20-%20County%20of%20Los%20 Angeles%20-%20Environmental%20Justice.pdf
Equity in sports does not mean equality, either. 95 Equality is providing the same resources to
everyone,
while
equity
is
providing
resources
based
on
need.
When
public
playing
fields
are
privatized,
whether
by
a
formal
lease,
maintenance
agreement,
or
joint
use
agreement,
barriers
are
created
that
widen
the
equity
gap,
creating
a
“pay
for
play”
scenario,
in
which
low
income
residents
may
be
left
out.
Suggestions to improve equity in sports:
● Removing fences ● Ensuring residents have more access to parks and playing fields than organized teams from
other
cities
● Offering scholarships or reduced fees based on income Lastly, equity does not mean exposing vulnerable populations to more impervious surfacing, creating
more
heat
islands,
adding
more
pollution
and
toxic
chemical
exposure
to
students,
coaches,
staff,
visitors,
all
park
goers…for
years
to
come.
96 Everyone DESERVES natural grass fields!
96 Woods, M (2016). “Equality, equity and the role of fairness in inclusive sport.” Inclusive Sports Design. https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com:equality-equity-and-the-role-of-fairness-in-inclusive-sport
95 Woods, M (2016). “Equality, equity and the role of fairness in inclusive sport.” Inclusive Sports Design. https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com:equality-equity-and-the-role-of-fairness-in-inclusive-sport
Not Recyclable; Not Sustainable:
Less
than
6%
of
plastics
are
recycled.
97 Made
of
highly
variable
formulations
of
mixed
plastics,
synthetic
turf
is
not
recyclable,
not
sustainable
and
is
a
linear,
not
a
circular
product.
Synthetic
turf
does
not
meet
any
definition
of
sustainability.
The
synthetic
turf
industry
misrepresents
its
products
when
they
make
claims
related
to
sustainability
and
environmental
friendliness.
It
is
not
enough
to
use
the
vernacular
of
the
day.
Circular products
98 are “… those products that have reduced or completely no need for virgin resources
and
are
designed
with
the
end
of
their
life
in
mind.”
The United Nations defines sustainable development 99 as “…development that meets the needs
of
the
present
without
compromising
the
ability
of
future
generations
to
meet
their
own
needs.”
The UCLA Sustainability Committee
100
notes: “ In simplest terms, sustainability is about our children
and
our
grandchildren,
and
the
world
we
will
leave
them”.
The Rutgers Center for Sustainable Materials
101
definition: “Sustainable materials are materials used throughout our consumer and industrial economy
that
can
be
produced
in
required
volumes
without
depleting
non-renewable
resources
and
without
disrupting
the
established
steady-state
equilibrium
of
the
environment
and
key
natural
resource
systems.
”
101
Rutgers University. “What are Sustainable Materials?” Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
Center
for
Sustainable
Materials.
Accessed
26 Jan
2025.
https://mse.rutgers.edu/center-sustainable-materials
100
UCLA Sustainability Committee, quoting UN World Commission on Environment and Development https://www.sustain.ucla.edu/what-is-sustainability/
99 United Nations (2024). “Sustainable Development Agenda: What is sustainable development?” https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/#1b1981a30bdd8fde2
98 “What is a circular product?” Circular Tayside, United Kingdom. https://circulartayside.co.uk/what-is-a-circular-product-and-business-model/
97 Dell, J, Enck, J (May 2022). “The Real Truth about the US Plastic Recycling Rate.” Beyond Plastics. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eda91260bbb7e7a4bf528d8/t/62b2238152acae761414d698/1655 841666913/The-Real-Truth-about-the-US-Plastic-Recycling-Rate-2021-Facts-and-Figures-_5-4-22.pdf
Thousands of rolls discarded on agricultural land in a Mountains of used tire crumb infill watershed.
Impervious Surfacing: The synthetic turf industry is making false claims, and issuing worthless certificates, claiming PFAS
free,
permeability,
and
more.
This
company
is
owned
by
a
board
member,
and
immediate
past
chair
of
the
Synthetic
Turf
Council,
and
linked
to
the
West
Coast
Vice
President
of
TenCate
Grass.
Despite industry claims, synthetic turf is classified as impervious by both the US EPA and the State of California. US EPA has defined impervious surfaces: “... areas such as gravel roads...that will be compacted through design or use to reduce their
impermeability.”
It
further
has
defined
impervious
surfaces
as
…[a]ny
surface
that
prevents
or
significantly
impedes
the
infiltration
of
water
into
the
underlying
soil.
This
can
include
but
is
not
limited
to:
roads,
driveways,
parking
areas
and
other
areas
created
using
non
porous
material;
buildings,
rooftops,
structures,
artificial
turf
and
compacted
gravel
or
soil.”
Compaction, as well as the impervious plastic surface, result in increased runoff. Despite synthetic
turf
industry
claims,
laboratory
testing
is
not
the
same
as
reality.
Synthetic
turf
is
unable
to
handle
the
amount
of
rain
that
comes
with
an
atmospheric
river
or
bomb
cyclone.
“Pollutants from aerial and terrestrial sources accumulate on impervious surfaces until runoff
from
a
precipitation
event
carries
sediment,
nutrients,
metals,
and
pesticides
into
stormwater
drains
and
directly
to
local
waterbodies.
As
impervious
surfaces
increase,
stormwater
runoff
increases
in
quantity,
speed,
temperature,
and
pollutant
load.
When
impervious
surfaces
reach
10–20%
of
local
watershed
area,
surface
runoff
doubles
and
continues
to
increase
until,
at
100%
impervious
surface
coverage,
runoff
is
five
times
that
of
a
forested
watershed.
Excessive
stormwater
runoff
also
increases
the
potential
for flooding.” US EPA Impervious Surface Fact Sheet The resulting impact on climate change from plastics and microplastics, 102
including those from
synthetic
turf,
are
contributing
factors
to
increased
flood
risk,
toxic
runoff,
103
and
landslides.
104
Synthetic turf creates 27,000 gallons of toxic runoff for every one inch of rain for every one
acre
of
plastic
installed.
105
In addition to being an impervious surface, installation of synthetic turf often requires removal of trees,
or
contributes
to
their
deaths
by
impeding
water
infiltration,
thereby
adding
to
the
risk
of
105
Cotrone, V (undated). “The Role of Trees and Forests in Healthy Watersheds: Managing stormwater, reducing
flooding,
and
improving
water
quality.”
Penn
State
Extension.
https://extension.psu.edu/the-role-of-trees-and-forests-in-healthy-watersheds
104
Vogt, E (26 Oct 2021). “NJ prep school’s turf field blamed for rockslide that displaced 45 families.” NJ 1015.
(link
next
page?)
https://nj1015.com/nj-prep-schools-turf-field-blamed-for-rockslide-that-displaced-45-families/
103
Simpson, TJ, Francis, RA (Aug 2021). “Artificial lawns exhibit increased runoff and decreased water retention
compared
to
living
lawns
following
controlled
rainfall
experiments.”
Urban
Forestry
&
Urban
Greening;
(63),
127232
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1618866721002570
102
Sunil, S, Bhagwat, G, Vincent, SGT, Palanisami, T (10 Oct 2024). “Microplastics and climate change:
the
global
impacts
of
a
tiny
driver.”
Science
of
The
Total
Environme
nt;
(
946
),174160.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724043080
landslides. Landslides are also a significant concern post wildfire events 106
and are a significant
concern
in
all
cases
where
there
are
no
requirements
or
limitations
on
impervious
surfacing.
107
Loss of Biodiversity: ● Soil - Synthetic turf impairs the microbiology and functions of soil by covering it with an impervious
surface,
disrupting
carbon
sequestration,
photosynthesis,
decomposition,
and
nutrient
cycles.
The
resulting
effect
on
organic
exchanges
impairs
gas
exchange,
moisture
uptake,
the
microbial
population,
and
biochemical
properties
of
the
soil,
leading
to
unhealthy
soil,
impaired
plant
growth,
and
eventual
death.
108
A
healthy
microbial
system
is
essential
to
soil
health
and
fertility.
109
,
110
,
111
111
Arachchige, PSP, Hettiarachchi, GM, Rice, CW et al (Sep/Oct 2024). “Direct evidence on the impact of organic
amendments
on
carbon
stabilization
in
soil
microaggregates.”
Soil
Society
of
America
J;
88(5 ),1529-1544. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20701 110
Lindsey, AJ.
Schiavon, M, Unruh, JB, Kenworthy, K (7 Jan 2025). “ Urban Landscapes: Turfgrass Benefits.”
Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, Grasses ; 4 (1), 3, https://doi.org/10.3390/grasses4010003
109
Hartmann, M, Frey, B, Mayer, J et al (31 Oct 2014) . “Distinct soil microbial diversity under long-term organic
and
conventional
farming.
”
ISME
J;
9,
1177–1194.
https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2014.210
108
Millard, B (22 Jul 2025). “ Artificial Turf Literature Review. Consolidating Understandings around the Environmental
and
Ecological
Implications
of
Artificial
Turf
Systems.”
SeaBin
Foundation,
Australia.
https://seabinfoundation.org/artificial-turf-literature-review/
107
Strunsky, S (25 Oct 2021). “400-Year-Old N.J. Forest Cut Down for Fake Turf Field May Be to Blame for
Rock
Slide
After
Ida.”
NJ.com.
https://www.nj.com/news/2021/10/400-year-old-nj-forest-cut-down-for-fake-turf-field-may-be-to-blame-for-r ock-slide-after-ida.html?outputType=amp
106
United States Geographical Survey Program (2018). “ The scientific background information for Emergency
Assessment
of
Postfire
Debris-Flow
Hazards.”
https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/science/scientific-background
● Trees - Synthetic turf negatively impacts living plants through multiple mechanisms.
Installation
of
artificial
turf
requires
compaction
of
soil,
which
reduces
root
growth
by
reducing
aeration.
Because
it
is
impervious,
it
does
not
allow
adequate
watering
or
rainfall
into
the
soil.
Toxic
runoff
from
the
plastic
surfacing
may
allow
waterlogging
of
plantings
in
low
lying
areas,
even
when
not
immediately
surrounded
by
the
carpeting.
The
chemicals
in
the
plastic
and
runoff
can
be
toxic
to
the
roots
of
living
plants.
The
extreme
heat
created
by
the
artificial
turf
greatly
reduces
or
kills
the
soil
biome
integral
to
healthy
soil
with
nutrients
needed
for
growth,
and
prevents
carbon
sequestration
into
the
soil,
and
oxygen
production. These factors can ultimately result in living plant and tree deaths.
● Synthetic turf poses a significant global threat to wildlife and aquatic organisms via ingestion
of
microplastics
and
toxic
chemical
leachate,
threatening
our
food
chain.
112
It is
estimated
that
>1500
species
have
ingested
microplastics,
113
including
high levels in air
exhaled
by
dolphins
via
their
blowholes.
114
Artificial turf in urban parks was found to
reduce
house
sparrow
populations
by
60%.
115
,
116
● Microplastics have been found in birds’ lungs, 117
and in the abdomens of fledgling puffins
on
remote
islands
in
high
volumes
leading
to
death.
118
118
Lavers, J, Bond, AL, Hutton, I (Apr 2024). “Plastic ingestion by Flesh-footed Shearwaters (Puffinus carneipes):
Implications
for
fledgling
body
condition
and
the
accumulation
of
plastic-derived
chemicals.”
Environmental Pollution ;( 187 )124-129. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749113006532
117
Tokunaga, Y, Okochi , H, Tani, Y et al (Apr 2023). “Airborne microplastics detected in the lungs of wild birds
in
Japan.”
Chemosphere
; 321 ,138032. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653523002990
116
Sánchez-Sotomayor , D, Martín-Higuera , A, Gil-Delgado, JA (2023). “Artificial grass in parks as a potential
new
threat
for
urban
bird
communities.”
Bird Conservation International;33, e16, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270922000119
115
Ponce-Bernat, E, Gil-Delgado, JA, López, GM (20 Feb 2020). “Sharp decrease in sparrows caused by use
of
artificial
grass
in
city
parks.”
Phys.org
https://phys.org/news/2020-02-sharp-decrease-sparrows-artificial-grass.pdf
114
Dziobak, MK, Fahlman, A, Wells, RS (16 Oct 2024). “First evidence of microplastic inhalation among free-ranging
small
cetaceans.”
PlosOne. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0309377
113
Santos, RG, Machovsky-Capuska, GE, Andrades, R (2021). “Plastic Ingestion as an Evolutionary Trap:
Toward
a
Holistic
Understanding.”
Science:
373
,
56–60.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34210877/
112
Wiseman, L (8 Apr 2026). “Artificial Grass and Its Impact.” World Wildlife Federation. https://www.wwf.org.uk/articles/artificial-grass-and-its-impact
● It is estimated that roughly one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed annually
from
plastic
in
our
oceans.
In
its
2024
Report,
the
World
Wildlife
Fund
reports
a
loss
of
73%
of
wildlife
populations
in
the
period
from
1970
to
2020.
119
● Synthetic turf is implicated in increasing frequent red tides and toxic algal blooms. 120
Wildfire risk: Synthetic turf is a combustible petrochemical product. Research in three countries has shown it is
neither
ember
or
flame
resistant.
121
,
122
,
123
“Glowing embers, as are commonly blown in front of an advancing bushfire, have a temperature
of
around
700-800
o
C,
and
the
flame
of
a
burning
leaf
has
a
temperature
of
around
700
o
C.
Strips
of
polyethylene
can
be
ignited
with
the
flame
of
a
match
which
has
a
temperature
of
around
700
o
C.”
124
“Over
the
past
two
decades,
we
saw
a
250
percent
increase
in
fire
speed
across
the
West
that
I
don’t
see
slowing
down
anytime
soon.”
Fire
ecologist,
Jennifer
Balch.
125
125
Deng, J (11 Jan 2025). “The Dichotomy of a Deadly Paradise—How Urban Sprawl and Climate Change
Fuel
LA’s
Fires.”
Inside
Climate
News.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11012025/los-angeles-wildfires-in-altadena-and-pacific-palisades/
124
Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Apr 2020). “Living Turf Fire Benefits Study - Literature review.”
GHD
Australia.
https://www.horticulture.com.au/globalassets/hort-innovation/resource-assets/tu17008-literature-review-liv ing-turf-fire-benefits-study.pdf
123
Paturel, A (2021). “Fire performance of artificial turf structures : small-scale testing and development of
fireproofing
strategies.”
Material
chemistry.
Université
de
Lille,
France.
Doctoral
thesis.
https://theses.hal.science/tel-03561379v1/file/These_PATUREL_Angeline.pdf
122
Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Apr 2020). “Living Turf Fire Benefits Study - Literature review.”
GHD
Australia.
https://www.horticulture.com.au/globalassets/hort-innovation/resource-assets/tu17008-literature-review-liv ing-turf-fire-benefits-study.pdf
121
Kukfisz, B (2018). “The Degree of Flammability for an Artificial Grass Surface System.” The Main School
of
Fire
Service,
Faculty
of
Fire
Safety
Engineering,
Warsaw,
Poland.
https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20184500038
120
Ren, X, Mao, M, Feng, M et al (1 Mar 2024). “Fate, abundance and ecological risks of microcystins in aquatic
environment:
The
implication
of
microplastics.”
Water Research ; Volume 251 , 121121. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0043135424000228
119
World Wildlife Federation (2024). “Living Planet Report: 2024. Nature is Disappearing: The Average Size
of
Wildlife
Populations
Has
Fallen
By
a
Staggering
73%.”
https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-US/
Pacific Palisades 2/2025 Concord, CA 2025
126
Alta Dena 2/2025
126
New TenCate Pivot plastic turf filed destroyed by fire
Synthetic turf increases toxic exposures during wildfires. 127 , 128
And, it contributes to escalating
insurance
costs.
129
,
130
,
131
Not
CEQA
Exempt!
In
December
of
2023,
the
California
Coastal
Commission
disallowed
the
University
of
California
Santa
Barbara
from
installing
synthetic
turf
at
the
Caesar
Uyesaka
Stadium,
citing
microplastics,
concerns
related
to
water
contamination
and
lack
of
conformity
with
the
University’s
sustainability
policies.
132
It
has
not
allowed
synthetic
turf
in
the
Coastal
Permit
Zone
since
2023.
133
“[Artificial turf] cannot be considered the environmentally superior alternative…” and cited
microplastics
as
a
primary
concern.
The
Coastal
Commission
also
noted
that
“Section
21080.5(d)(2)(A)
of
CEQA
prohibits
the
Commission
from
approving
a
proposed
development
if
there
are
feasible
alternatives
or
feasible
mitigation
measures
available
that
would
substantially
lessen
any
significant
adverse
effect
which
the
activity
may
have
on
the
environment.”
2 The Commission also disallowed removal of trees.
CEQA guidelines were recently updated, changing the section analogous to the one quoted
by
the
Coastal
Commission
to
§
21002.
APPROVAL
OF
PROJECTS;
FEASIBLE
ALTERNATIVE
OR
MITIGATION
MEASURES,
though
the
wording
and
intent
of
the
law
remains
unchanged.
134
134
https://www.califaep.org/docs/CEQA_Handbook_2025combined.pdf
133
CA Coastal Commissioners comments on synthetic turf, microplastics
132
Notice of Impending Development UCS-NOID-0002-23 (Baseball Stadium Turf) for Public Hearing and [California
Coastal]
Commission
Action
at
the
December
13,
2022
131
Capani, C (7 May 2024). “Aviva issues flood risk warning as residents turn to artificial lawns.” Insurance
Times;
United
Kingdom
.
https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/news/aviva-issues-flood-risk-warning-as-residents-turn-to-artificial-lawn s/1451833.article
130
Sherriff, L (18 Mar 2024). “Climate change is fuelling the US insurance problem.” British Broadcasting Corp.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240311-why-climate-change-is-making-the-us-uninsurable
129
Mandel, A, Battiston, S, Monasterolo, I. (5 Feb 2025). “Mapping global financial risks under climate change.
Nature,
Climate
Change.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02244-x
128
Staff writer (17 Jan 2025). “ Plastic Chemicals in Wildfire Smoke and How to Protect Yourself.” Plastic Soup Coalition.
https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2025/1/17/plastic-chemicals-in-wildfire-smoke-and-how-to-pr otect-yourself
127
Schlanger, Z (15 Jan 2025). “ What Happens When a Plastic City Burns.” The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2025/01/los-angeles-fire-smoke-plastic-toxic/681318/
The city council, board of supervisors, and board of education members should be acutely aware
that
in
any
decision
regarding
synthetic
turf
or
other
projects,
that
YOU
are
the
lead
agency
regarding
all
documentation
related
to
CEQA.
If
staff
or
consultants
intentionally/unintentionally
mislead
you
regarding
CEQA
requirements,
that
falls
you,
not
the
staff
nor
consultants.
This
includes
any
claims
or
filings
related
to
NOEs
(Notice
of
Exemption)
or
MNDs
(Mitigated
Negative
Declaration).
Additionally,
be
aware
that
claims
that
a
project
was
approved
by
the
Division
of
State
Architect
(DSA)
and
meets
CEQA
requirements
is
also
untrue.
The
DSA
is
limited
to
reviewing
school
construction
projects
for
building
code
compliance
and
structural
safety.
They
play
no
role
in
CEQA,
and
have
no
authority
to
approve
any
projects
under
CEQA.
Additionally, the Governor’s Office on Land Use and Climate Innovations, together with the Department
of
Natural
Resources
now
oversees
CEQA.
They
are
acutely
aware
of
the
urgency
of
plastics
in
our
environment,
and
the
circumvention
of
the
CEQA
process
by
many
local
jurisdictions,
as
is
the
California
Coastal
Commission.
Playable Hours Myth:
The
industry
and
staff
who
support
plastic
turf
more
often
than
not
skew
the
hours
of
play.
Beware
that
more
hours
of
play
also
means
more
exposure
to
toxic
chemicals,
more
risk
for
non-communicable
diseases
and
cancer,
more
rapid
breakdown
of
the
plastic,
more
expense
for
more
frequent
landfilling
and
replacement,
and
more
legal
liability
exposure.
Comparisons related to number of hours of play may be skewed significantly as they are most often
based
on
the
number
of
hours
reserved
for
a
given
playing
field,
and
not
on
the
actual
hours
of
play.
“Hours of play as reported is based on permits, not actual on the ground play time.
This
is
critical
because
synt
[thetic]
turf
is
fenced,
locked
and
often
not
used
even
during
permitted
time
blocks,
and
not
outside
of
those
times.
The
[natural]
grass
fields,
in
contrast,
see
almost
constant
play
during,
and
outside
of
permitted
time,
because
they
are
typically
NOT
fenced
and
locked.
So,
if
a
team
cancels
practice
or
a
game
during
permitted
time
on
grass,
others
will
certainly
see
it
is
empty
and
play
on
it
anyway.”
Dr. Kathy Michaels, NIH researcher, ret., Board Member, Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc;
public
testimony,
Montgomery
County,
Maryland,
2025.
This was also prominently elucidated as early as a 2014 article in a Forbes Magazine, revealing how
proponents
of
artificial
turf
manipulate
information.
135
This
dynamic
was
most
recently
affirmed
last
year
in
a
letter
submitted
to
CA
DTSC
by
the
University
of
Massachusetts
Lowell
Center
for
Sustainable
Production,
regarding
DTSC’s
background
document
on
Candidate
135
Ozanian, M ( 2014). “How Taxpayers Get Fooled On The Cost Of An Artificial Turf Field.” Forbes Magazine.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2014/09/28/how-taxpayers-get-fooled-on-the-cost-of-an-artifici al-turf-field/
Chemicals in Artificial Turf. Dr. Rachel Massey noted: “Regarding play times, we have documented examples of sustainably managed grass
athletic
fields
that
meet
the
play
hours
needed
by
communities.
Grass
athletic
field
consultants
explain
that
with
proper
maintenance,
a
grass
field
will
accommodate
as
much
play
as
needed.
We
have
also
encountered
instances
in
which
artificial
turf
vendors
assign
different
“weights”
to
different
activities.
For
example,
one
hour
of
a
heavy
activity
such
as
football
may
be
counted
as
more
than
one
hour
of
use.
It
can
be
important
to
understand
these
weightings
when
assessing
the
expected
life
span
and
cost
effectiveness
of
the
product.”
136
Student athletes are not elite athletes. Pushing them to perform in extreme heat with a WBGT up
to
92 p
F
the
inland
desert
region
(CIF
Category
3),
137
is
inviting
preventable
heat
illness,
heat
stroke
and
death…as
well
as
the
high
risk
for
legal
liability.
● OF NOTE:
Synthetic
turf
is
not
“set
it
and
forget
it.”
It
is
high
maintenance…if
you
wish
to
preserve
warranties.
● It is not 24/7 play. High play = faster replacement. ● Synthetic turf requires toxic chemicals for cleaning and weed abatement. ● Synthetic turf requires vast amounts of POTABLE water to clean and cool the surface
to
a
playable
temperature,
and
repeatedly
throughout
play.
137
CIF Extreme Heat Policy
136
Massey, R (30 Sep 2024). “Comments on California DTSC’s Background Document on Candidate Chemicals
in
Artificial
Turf.”
Lowell
Center
for
Sustainable
Production,
Univ.
of
Mass.,
Lowell.
LCSP letter to DTSC
Hidden costs: what is staff not telling you? The hidden “extras” with artificial turf projects: ● Environmental Impact Reports; CEQA filings and directed requirements. ● Irrigation systems. *Failure to clean plastic fields can void warranties and put athletes at risk.
Necessary
to
cool
the
surface
to
playable
temperature.
● Drainage/catchment systems (made of plastics, contributing to unrecyclable plastics, microplastic
pollution)
● Annual GMax testing- ~$1,515. More frequently if it fails testing. ● Annual infill replenishment- 1.5 to 5 tons of chosen infill *plant-based infill is generally 4.5 times
more
expensive
than
used
tire
crumb.
● New maintenance equipment. ● Maintenance agreement costs (required by some manufacturers). ● Increased POTABLE water to cool plastic surface to playable temperature. ● Cleaning solvent. *Failure to follow maintenance requirements will nullify warranties. ● Pesticides for weed eruption (Some manufacturers call for glyphosate, Spectracide). ● Removal costs. ● Transportation and disposal costs (potential for disposal in hazardous waste landfills). ● POTABLE Water to clean synthetic fields of bacteria, 138 , 139
secretion of human fluids,
waste
left
by
pets
and
wildlife;
often
a
requirement
to
maintain
warranty.
Failure
to
clean
causes
build
up
of
bacteria,
which
is
more
prevalent
in
older
synthetic
surfaces.
140
,
141
● Increased legal liability.
Alternatives Exist:
Avoidance
of
microplastics,
toxic
chemical
exposure
to
people
and
planet,
reduction
of
greenhouse
gasses,
and
plastic
pollution,
and
in
support
of
a
cooler
environment,
improved
human
health,
142
and
biodiversity
lies
in
nature-based
solutions.
142
Braun, RC, Mandai, P, Nwachukwu, E, Stanton, A (17 Oct 2024). “The role of turfgrasses in environmental
protection
and
their
benefits
to
humans:
Thirty
years
later.”
Crop
Science;
(64)2,
pp2909-3618.
141
Keller, M, Turco, RF, Gray, MB, Sigler, V (2020). “The Fate of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
in
a
Synthetic
Turf
System.”
Sports
Health:
12(3),
263-270.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7222665/
140
Bass, JJ, Hintz, DW (2013). "Determination of Microbial Populations in a Synthetic Turf System," Skyline
-
The
Big
Sky
Undergraduate
Journal:
1(1),
Article
1. https://scispace.com/pdf/determination-of-microbial-populations-in-a-synthetic-turf-1jfau95sd7.pdf
139
Valeriani, F, Margarucci, LM, Gianfraneschi, G et al (28 Aug 2019). Artificial-turf surfaces for sport and recreational
activities:
microbiota
analysis
and
16S
sequencing
signature
of
synthetic
vs
natural
soccer
fields.
Heliyon:
Heliyon
5 (2019)
e02334.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02334
138
US EPA (6 Aug 2019). “U.S. Federal Research Action Plan (FRAP) on Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Used
on
Synthetic
Turf
Playing
Fields
and
Playgrounds.
Final
Report
Part
1 –
Tire
Crumb
CharacterizationEPA
Tools
and
Resources
Webinar.”
slide
20 https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-08/documents/tc_public_webinar_-_august_6_2019.pdf
Natural grass actively sequesters carbon dioxide and provides a cooling function that is especially
dramatic
when
compared
to
the
heat
generated
by
synthetic
turf.
Grass
naturally
filters
toxins,
performs
important
eco-services
for
the
soil
beneath,
and
provides
widely
spersed
rainwater
infiltration
allowing
absorption
and
recharging
of
the
water
table.
Additionally:
143
Research
suggests
that:
● Natural grasses can accumulate and deposit carbon into the soil by approximately one-half ton of carbon per acre per year for 30 to 40 years. ● 5,000 square feet of natural grass lawns can provide enough oxygen for approximately 28 residents
-
something
sorely
needed
in
our
overbuilt
environment.
144
● Desert and drought tolerant Bermuda hybrid grasses can save water. ● Regenerative / organic management, and zero emission maintenance equipment mitigate
greenhouse
gas
emissions,
reduce
costs
over
time,
and
increase
carbon
sequestration.
145
Newer drought and desert tolerant Bermuda grass hybrids have been developed for high use playing
fields,
and
can
also
be
used
in
residential
and
commercial
properties.
One
such
natural
grass
hybrid,
Tahoma31,
146
uses
60%
less
water
and
can
stay
green
for
six
weeks,
potentially
reducing
water
usage
to
two
to
three
waterings
per
summer.
It
has
sterile
seeds
and
is
non-invasive.
Other
drought
tolerant
varieties,
grown
in
the
Coachella
and
Fernando
Valleys,
Ramona,
as
well
as
Stockton
and
other
locations,
include
Coachella,
Bandera,
Legion
and
other
Bermuda
hybrids.
Development of college credit courses in regenerative / organic turf management would provide an
opportunity
to
showcase
the
state
mandated
K-12
Core
Curriculum
on
Climate
Change,
and
allow
students
to
transition
to
colleges
and
universities
as
a
path
to
high
paid
green
jobs
for
the
future.
This
would
also
provide
an
opportunity
to
meet
state
requirements
for
composting
organic
waste,
147
,
148
which
can
be
used
in
regenerative/organic
field
maintenance.
This
has
the
added
benefit
composting
locally,
saving
money,
reducing
the
carbon
footprint
associated
with
transportation
rather
than
shipping
green
waste
to
more
remote
locations.
148
SB1383
147
SB 279
146
Tahoma31 Project List
145
Beyond Pesticides, organic management cost comparison
144
The Lawn Institute. “Fresh Oxygen Production by Natural Grass Lawns in the United States.” https://www.thelawninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TLI-FreshO2production_US-Final.pdf 143
The Lawn Institute. “Carbon Sequestration.” Accessed 2 Feb 2025. https://www.thelawninstitute.org/environmental-benefits/carbon-sequestration/ https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21383
Beyond Pesticides offers a two year program that includes reviewing expenditures, soil testing, training
staff
in
organic
natural
turf
management,
and
two
years
of
monitoring
progress.
They
do
not
do
installations
or
maintenance.
149
With both synthetic turf and microplastics coming under regulation by the California Department of
Toxic
Substances
Control,
and
grants
moving
to
nature
based
solutions,
it
is
time
to
GET
REAL
with
natural
grass
and
other
nature
based
solutions!
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Conway, President Dianne Woelke MSN, Board Member Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc. https://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org SHPFI is an all-volunteer nonprofit 501-c-3
149
Beyond Pesticides Sustainable Parks Program
El Césped Sintético
El césped sintético es un producto plástico petroquímico elaborado principalmente a partir de polietileno, el plástico más producido y desechado a nivel mundial. Otras resinas utilizadas pueden incluir polipropileno y uretano. Las PFAS son una clase de más de 16 000 sustancias químicas, conocidas como “sustancias químicas eternas”. Se añaden durante la fabricación de césped sintético para evitar que los hilos plásticos se peguen a la maquinaria. Se han encontrado en el 100% de todos los materiales de césped sintético analizados.
Otros químicos utilizados en la fabricación incluyen plastificantes, retardantes de llama, colorantes, estabilizadores UV, biocidas, estabilizadores térmicos, antioxidantes, lubricantes y agentes espumantes, catalizadores, ftalatos y sustancias perfluoroalquilo (PFAS). Las investigaciones indican que las PFAS pueden causar una disminución de la fertilidad, daños al desarrollo, al hígado, a la tiroides y a otros órganos, alterar la respuesta a las vacunas y causar cáncer. Se bioacumulan en los seres humanos, la vida salvaje y acuática y persisten a lo largo de generaciones. Los PFAS se filtran del césped sintético al aire, el agua y la tierra a medida que se exponen al medio ambiente y debido a la acción abrasiva del juego. El césped sintético es un material impermeable que alcanza fácilmente temperaturas de 160°F a 180°F y más. Sobrecalienta la tierra, mata el bioma vivo debajo y aumenta la escorrentía tóxica y cancerígena.
La emisión de gases de metano y etileno, dos potentes gases de efecto invernadero, crea islas de calor más grandes que la huella de un campo de juego sintético, lo que afecta el área circundante y contribuye al cambio climático. Las quemaduras en el césped por fricción, las quemaduras térmicas, las heridas sin contacto en las extremidades inferiores y las conmociones cerebrales ocurren con más frecuencia en campos de césped sintético que en campos de césped natural. Los atletas se ven cada vez más afectados por enfermedades de estrés térmico debido al jugar en superficies sintéticas. Las muertes por insolación se duplicaron entre 2015 y 2017 en comparación con los cinco años anteriores. Futbolistas tienen once veces más probabilidades de sufrir enfermedades relacionadas con el calor jugando en césped sintético.
El césped sintético requiere más agua que las variedades Bermudas tolerantes a la sequía para reducir la temperatura de la superficie a un nivel comparable al del césped natural para un juego seguro. El enfriamiento requiere aproximadamente 12 mil galones de agua y dura unos 20 minutos.
El césped sintético requiere aproximadamente 989 galones de agua para producir 1 metro cuadrado de césped, lo que se estima equivale a regar un metro cuadrado de césped natural durante 18 años. También se necesita agua para limpiar la contaminación, los fluidos corporales, los desechos animales, moho, bacterias y más del plástico. El césped sintético es un plástico mixto y no se puede reciclar. Hasta la fecha, no se ha reciclado ningún campo de juego sintético para convertirlo en campo. El reciclaje de productos químicos avanzados altamente contaminantes no es una alternativa viable y plantea riesgos para la salud de los trabajadores y las comunidades circundantes. Se estima que la retirada, el transporte y el vertido actuales ascienden $64k a $100k dólares. Muchos vertederos no aceptarán este material peligroso. Con frecuencia se tira ilegalmente y continúa contaminando el medio ambiente durante los más de mil años que se tarda en descomponerse. ©
Feb
2026
La contaminación por microplásticos proveniente de campos sintéticos representa una amenaza adicional para la contaminación de la tierra, el aire y el agua, así como para el daño ambiental. Cada año, 2,000 a 3,000 libras de hojas rotas de plastico migran de cada campo de tamaño reglamentario- hasta 16x mas si es del tipo que no ocupa relleno agregado. Pierda de 1 a 5 toneladas de contaminación adicional se escapa de un campo en forma de relleno agregado encima de un campo sintético para soportar las hojas de plástico y proporcionar amortiguación.
A un precio aproximadamente 4.3 veces mayor que el del césped natural correctamente instalado y mantenido, el césped sintético es una mala inversión. Los campos de césped natural de última generación pueden durar 30 años y su mantenimiento es menos costoso si se gestionan de forma orgánica. El uso de aqua es menor con variedades tolerantes a la sequía y el equipo de mantenimiento de cero emisiones mitiga las emisiones de gases de efecto. En cambio, el césped sintético cuesta en promedio de $1.2 milliones para instalarlo, requiere agua, equipo de mantenimiento especializdo a gas o diésel, uso de herbicidas para reducir el crecimiento de malezas y moho, reemplazo anual del relleno, pruebas de dureza y posibles demandas judiciales por heridas. Para obtener más información:
safehealthyplayingfields.org https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/plastics-edcs-andhealth https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journ al.pone.0200574https://www.ewg.org/newsinsights/news/2023/02/wildlife-warning-more-330species-contaminated-forever-chemicals https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/28/shann a-swan-fertility-reproduction-count-down https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37392868/
Synthetic Turf
Synthetic turf is a petrochemical plastic product most often made from polyethylene, the most highly produced and discarded plastic globally. Other resins used may include polypropylene and urethane. Other chemicals used in manufacturing include plasticizers, flame retardants, colorants, UV stabilizers, biocides, heat stabilizers, antioxidants, lubricants, and foaming agents, catalysts, phthalates and per- and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS).
Research indicates PFAS can cause decreased fertility, devlopmental, liver, thyroid, and other organ damage, impair vaccine response and cause cancers. They bioaccumulate in humans, wild and aquatic life and persist across generations. PFAS
leach from synthetic turf into air, water and soil as it is exposed to the environment and due to grinding action from play. Synthetic turf is an impervious material that readily reaches temperatures of 160 o
F-180
o
F and beyond. It over heats the earth, kills the living biome beneath and adds to toxic and carcinogenic runoff. Off gassing of methane and ethylene, 2 powerful greenhouse gasses, creates heat islands larger than the footprint of a synthetic playing field, impacting the surrounding area and contribute to climate change.
Turf burns from friction, thermal burns, non-contact lower extremity injuries and concussions all occur more frequently on synthetic turf than on natural grass fields. Athletes are increasingly impacted by heat related illness playing on synthetic surfaces. Deaths from heat stroke doubled from 2015 to 2017 when compared to the 5 preceding years. Football players are eleven times more likely to suffer a heat related illness playing on synthetic turf. Synthetic turf requires more water than drought tolerant Bermuda varieties in order to bring the surface temperature down to a level comparable to natural grass for safe play. The cooling requires approximately 12 thousand gallons of water and lasts for some 20 minutes.
Synthetic turf requires approximately 989 gallons of water to produce 1 square meter of turf- estimated to be the equivalent of watering a square meter of natural grass for 18 years. For a regulation sized field (80 thousand square feet), 7,353,160 gallons would be required; Water for cleaning pollution, bodily fluids, animal waste, mold, bacteria and more from plastic turf, often a condition of warranty, is also needed. Synthetic turf is a mixed plastic and not amenable to recycling. To date, no synthetic playing field has been recycled into a field. Highly polluting advanced chemical recycling is not a viable alternative and poses health risks to workers and surrounding communities. Current removal, transport and landfilling is estimated to be $64k to $148k. Many landfills will not accept this hazardous material. It is frequently illegally disposed of and continues to contaminate the environment for the estimated 450+ years it takes to decompose. Microplastic pollution from synthetic fields poses additional threat to soil, air and water pollution as well as environmental harm. Each year, 2 to 3 thousandpounds of broken blades migrate of each regulation sized (80k square foot) field. One to five tons of additional pollution is walked off a field in the form of the infill added on top of a synthetic field to support the plastic blades and provide cushioning.
At a cost of approximately 4.3 times greater than properly installed and maintained natural grass fields, synthetic turf is a poor investment. State of the art natural grass fields can last 30 years and a less expensive to maintain over time if organically managed. Water use is lower with drought tolerant varieties and zero emission maintenance equipment mitigates green house gas emissions. Synthetic turf, by contrast has a warranty of 8 to 10 years, costs on average $1.2 million to install, required water, specialized gas or diesel maintenance equipment, herbicide use to abate weed and mold growth, annual infill replacement and hardness testing and potential lawsuits from injury.
For more information: safehealthyplayingfields.org
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200574 https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2023/02/wildlife-warning-more-330-species-contaminated-forever-chemicals https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/28/shanna-swan-fertility-reproduction-count-down https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/plastics-edcs-and-health © March 2026