In UK, Lab Tests of Artificial Turf Reveal Carcinogens

CANCER causing chemicals DO lurk in artificial football pitches [football fields] according to lab tests ordered by The Sunday Post.

Our probe has revealed a litany of carcinogens are found in the substance that is sprinkled over plastic turf to make it bouncy.

The crumb rubber, which is made from recycled car tyres [tires], has been linked to cancer clusters.
Our reporters collected samples of the substance and sent it to laboratory boffins at the Environment Scientifics Group.

It carries out official tests for police forces and other government organisations.
Its stringent tests on our samples revealed the presence of a number of chemical elements linked to poisoning, such as arsenic, lead and cadmium.
However, it was the prevalence of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that will cause the most concern.

Prof Andrew Watterson, an environmental health expert from the University of Stirling, who looked at our findings, said: “This report confirms and reveals the presence of a number of carcinogens at various levels in the rubber crumb.

“If the chemicals and metals remain locked in to the crumb, then there will be no exposure.
“However, it seems to be fairly clear that there may be some potential risk from some of these substances to sports people.

“To what extent and with what effect the carcinogenic metals and semi-volatile organic compounds may be taken up through inhalation, skin absorption or ingestion and under what conditions then remains the big question.”

Research in 2014 by four US universities found polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to be “highly mutagenic cancer causing compounds”.

The two biggest PAHs we discovered were Benzo (E) Pyrene and Chryseneat...continues at link below.

https://www.sundaypost.com/news/fresh-fears-over-plastic-pitches-causing-cancer-lab-tests-reveal-carcinogens/