Turf fields are popular around Massachusetts for their consistency year-round. But some environmental groups say there are serious health concerns parents need to know about including exposure to harmful forever chemicals.
A 2023 study by North Easton-based Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), found toxic forever chemicals, known as PFAS, in some synthetic turf.
The environmental group measured the amount of PFAS on soccer players’ hands before and after games on three grass fields and three artificial turf fields.
“The players who played on artificial turf and the coach, three out of four of them, picked up a lot of PFOS,” said Kyla Bennett, PEER’s Director of Science Policy.
PFOS is one of the most well-studied and dangerous PFAS, according to Bennett.
She said forever chemicals are linked to serious health problems and “can cause kidney and testicular cancers. It can cause developmental problems. It can cause obesity and thyroid problems.”
Turf field has already been banned in some local communities, including Concord, Wayland, Sharon and Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.