How Safe is Artificial Turf?

[WalkingCY]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/how-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166

Another positive for Iowa State having real grass at Jack Trice. Still, the Bergstrum has artificial turf, didn't know this was a possible issue nationwide.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/how-safe-artificial-turf-your-child-plays-n220166

Another positive for Iowa State having real grass at Jack Trice. Still, the Bergstrum has artificial turf, didn't know this was a possible issue nationwide.

Yikes....

 

[johnnydugouts]

Yikes....

Seems like a pretty big leap.

 

[AMarner32]

Just from skimming the article, it sounds like it's highly unlikely to happen. Football players have more stuff between them and the ground. Also, players are required to wear mouthguards so I think it's unlikely they'll swallow the pebbles, which was mentioned. Also, only 38 soccer players have been linked to it.

 

[kcdc4isu]

Seems like a pretty big leap.

I would agree and did NBC then see how many football players that have played on turf have been diagnosed with cancer. I wuld think the number would be even larger with football players than soccer players.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Seems reactionary to me. There are a thousand causes for cancer, and obviously genetic predispositions as well. It would take a ton of study to find if there is any correlation , and even then, it's hard to say definitively. No reason to live in fear, because there are carcinogens all around us every day.

 

[BoxsterCy]

**** Allen addressed this back in the '60's and it is still true by me:

"If a cow can't eat it, I don't want to play on it."

 

[dualthreat]

Time to get rid of soccer!

 

[Wesley]

Benzene offgassing is not good.

 

[WhatMeWorry]

I've been talking about this for a few years now. Even posted as such. When you see the close camera angles in slow mo, you can see that crap flys everywhere! Players are certainly breathing it in.

 

[2020cy]

I think they have linked several football players, usually lineman, getting cancer from fertilizers used on grass fields.

 

[boone7247]

Considering what I just read and the fact that their is a clear alternative to crumb rubber fields, why do we still build them? How hard is it to do something different? I get that natural grass takes a little more maintenance a year, when used daily can be worn out rapidly, and if it rains too much it can be muddy. Seems like a cheap price to pay to know that your children aren't being exposed to chemicals that are known to cause health problems.

 

[Clonefan94]

Time to get rid of soccer!

This is how I see it. If it's not happening to football players, then I say soccer is as likely causing the cancer as the turf is.

 

[WalkingCY]

This is how I see it. If it's not happening to football players, then I say soccer is as likely causing the cancer as the turf is.

Agreed.

 

[DuckDynastyCy]

I think they have linked several football players, usually lineman, getting cancer from fertilizers used on grass fields.

Would love to see this link since fertilizers are simple salts.

 

[johnnydugouts]

both a close relative and a good friend of mine have been Division 1 trainers for 10+ years and neither has ever seen an athlete in any sport inhale field turf. im sure its happened, as often as inhaling real grass and dirt has happened (RADON!!!!!!). can it end up in your mouth and therefore stomach? sure.

are employees of tire shops experiencing similar outcomes?

 

[everyyard]

Most things that cause cancer get poo pooed and written off for years before low and behold they actually cause cancer. Especially if big money is involved. I'd be pretty cautious as a parent.

 

[VTXCyRyD]

both a close relative and a good friend of mine have been Division 1 trainers for 10+ years and neither has ever seen an athlete in any sport inhale field turf. im sure its happened, as often as inhaling real grass and dirt has happened (RADON!!!!!!). can it end up in your mouth and therefore stomach? sure.

are employees of tire shops experiencing similar outcomes?

Yes, that is why tire industries have safety regulations, exhaust fans, respirators etc.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/93-106/

 

[jdoggivjc]

See, what I take from this article: Kinnick Stadium causes cancer...

 

[FanatiClone]

Seems reactionary to me. There are a thousand causes for cancer, and obviously genetic predispositions as well. It would take a ton of study to find if there is any correlation , and even then, it's hard to say definitively. No reason to live in fear, because there are carcinogens all around us every day.

I wouldn't exactly call it reactionary, but I agree with what you say about there being many causes of cancer. I would say that perhaps the turf pebbles might be the straw the breaks the camel's back in those who might be genetically predisposed to certain types of cancer. It speaks volumes that of the 38 soccer players diagnosed, 34 were goalkeepers who spend half their time face down in the turf, which has carcinogens in it.