WHY IS SYNTHETIC TURF BAD?

ATTENTION LOCAL WASHINGTON CITIZENS AND PARENTS:

Synthetic turf makes for an unsafe playing field and its utilization can result in a number of negative health and environmental concerns, especially for our youth and athletes. As members of Washington state and local communities, we are encouraging the public to say NO to the installation of synthetic turf playing fields. Not only are synthetic turf playing fields an environmental injustice, but they also can be traced to detrimental health effects, including cancer.

Synthetic turf is composed of plastic "grass" that leads to the ingestion of hazardous chemicals, is a source of plastic pollution, and can reach temperatures that are 40-70 degrees higher than natural turfgrass. As deeply concerned citizens, we encourage you to reconsider supporting synthetic turf playing fields for the sake of your family, future generations, the environment, and our community. Choose REAL grass and say NO to synthetic turf fields.

SAFER FIELDS FOR ALL.

#KEEPITREAL

SIGN THE PETITION.

Safer Fields for All is committed to an environmentally responsible and safe Washington for future generations and current citizens. We have partnered with Washington's turfgrass seed farmers to keep our public spaces safe and plastic-free. Say NO to synthetic turf playing fields and help us make a difference by signing the petition today!

Dangerously Hot

Synturf can get lethally hot, while grass stays near or below ambient temperatures.

Toxic

It’s toxic — to our athletes and our environment. There are undisclosed mixes of endocrine disruptors, known and probable human carcinogens, lead, PFAS, flame retardants, VOCs, SVOCs, and phthalates. Synturf releases harmful microplastics as it breaks down.

Expensive

Most new synturfs run $1M to $1.4M to install, and $700k+ to replace. This is in addition to maintenance (to maintain warranty), removal, hauling, and responsible disposal.

Hazardous for Athletes

Synturf is proven in peer-reviewed studies, published in leading orthopedic journals, to generate double the foot and ankle injuries compared to grass, even on the finest synturf available. Studies show dramatically higher non-contact injuries — from interaction of an athlete and the surface — for both torque (twisting, ankle, ACL, knee) & impact (concussion, joint impact). Some athletes have even been diagnosed with cancer.

A Disposal Nightmare

Each synturf is 225+ tons of unrecyclable, toxic, mixed-plastic waste needing to be replaced every 7 to 10 years. During each of those years, the industry concedes that every single field will lose 1 to 5 tons of infill per year.

THE SOLUTION? REAL GRASS.

PROTECTOR OF NATURE

Real grass sequesters carbon dioxide, cools the air, produces oxygen, and is a barrier to wildfires. In other words...it's a superhero for the planet!

ITS SAFER THAN SYNTHETIC TURF

Research demonstrates that real grass prevents injuries while also enhancing our health. The American Journal of Sports recently discovered 16% more lower-body injuries on synthetic turf than on natural, real grass. As far as we know, real grass doesn't have any detrimental health effects.

COMMUNITY DEFENDER

Real grass prevents soil erosion and reduces runoff. Why does this matter? Well, healthy soil means healthy grass. Simply put, it helps clean water, creates added protection during wildfires, provides a healthy ecosystem to beneficial organisms, and increases drought resistance. Basically, real grass is just better and benefits the circle of life. Guess what can't do that? Synthetic turf.