Artificial Turf (Crumb Rubber)

Synthetic sports and play surfaces with rubber infill.

49Moderate burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapNatural grass where possible, and wash hands after play

How this score is built

100Start
77Chemical hazard 5 × 4.6−23
66.8Everyday exposure 3 × 3.4−10.2
49Persistence 7 × 2.6−18.2, then rounded to 49
ModerateThe band49 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	5/10	unsourced input Searched 2026-10-05: No study found that rates this mix of PFAS, PAHs and metals for players; the one turf PFAS study traced the fluorine mainly to polymers.
Everyday exposure	3/10	Total fluorine was found in all 51 artificial-turf samples from Stockholm, but extractable fluorine and targeted PFAS in under 42%; the authors attribute it to polymeric organofluorine that does not pose an imminent risk to users. Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden · Environ Sci Technol Lett 2022 DOI 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00260 · PMID 35966456 · Abstract · read 2026-10-05
Persistence	7/10	unsourced input Searched 2026-10-05: No study found that rates this mix of PFAS, PAHs and metals for players; the one turf PFAS study traced the fluorine mainly to polymers.

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

Crumb-rubber infill and turf fibres can contain PFAS, PAHs and metals. Skin and hand-to-mouth contact are the main routes, so washing up after use reduces it.

Evidence strength: moderate

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Lower-exposure choices

Regular Sauna UseMinimal · Environment

Regular Exercise & SweatMinimal · Environment

All 19 environment entries, highest burden first →