MONTREAL, Aug. 30, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The results of a long-term
study confirms that the rubber granules used in the construction of
artificial turf fields pose absolutely no threat to the environment.
ALIAPUR, the leading French government body responsible for used
tires, along with ADEME, the French Agency for Environment and Energy
Management has completed a scientific study that aimed at evaluating
possible environmental impact from the rubber granules in sports
fields that are derived from recycled used car tires.
The studies prove no cause for concern to human health.
The main goal of the study was to determine the quality of water
transferred into the natural environment after passing through the
rubber granules and other infill materials from the artificial grass
sports fields. In addition, the study obtained a detailed analysis and
evaluation of the gas emissions generated by these fields.
As part of the testing methodology, three artificial grass sample
fields were infilled with three different materials, to create real
life replicas of artificial turf fields used around the world in
schools, parks and playgrounds. Each artificial grass sample field
used a different rubber infill:
A - SBR (rubber granules from used tires).
B - TPE (new material thermoplastic rubber granules).
C - EPDM (new virgin material rubber granules).
An artificial grass carpet with no rubber infill was also used as a
control field sample.
Initiated in 2005, this study was conducted with the scientific aim of
replicating normal field usage conditions to properly evaluate any
potential environmental impact from runoff water and the potential of
any health risk from gaseous emissions.
The results indicate the following:
1 - A comparable behavior regardless which type of infill material was
used -- whether SBR from used tires, new TPE thermoplastic material or
EPDM new virgin rubber material.
2 - The absence of impact of these materials on water resources.
3 - There was no effect on health associated with the inhalation of
VOC and aldehydes emitted by artificial surfaces.
4 - Emissions from the artificial turf without any infill material are
very low compared with those from other construction products (ex:
parquet flooring).
5 - The emissions from the artificial turf containing SBR (rubber
granules from used tires) and from TPE (new material thermoplastic
rubber granules) are both relatively low. "Relatively low" by European
standards signifies an environmentally safe substance.
6 - The emissions from the artificial turf containing EPDM (new virgin
material rubber granules) are greater.
7 - From an ecotoxicological point of view and on the basis of a
comparison with strict European health standards, the water that
passed through the artificial grass sample fields was proven to have
no impact on the environment, regardless of the type of infill in the
turf.
A Health Risk Evaluation (HRE) was performed by INERIS, the French
National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks, in order to
evaluate more precisely, in indoor situations, the health risks linked
to the inhalation of the VOC and aldehydes of which these emissions
have been quantified by the scientific and technical center of France.
The results of the INERIS Health Risk Evaluation, based on the
concentration of the substances and worst-case scenarios, indicate
that the VOC and aldehyde emissions from the three types of artificial
grass fields studied in small and poorly ventilated indoor gymnasium
situations are of no cause for concern for human health, for the
workers installing the surfaces as well as for the general public,
professional or amateur athletes, adults and children.
In conclusion to its study, the INERIS stipulates that the health
risks associated with the inhalation of VOC and aldehydes emitted by
artificial grass fields in outdoor situations give no cause for
concern towards human health.
"The results come to the dismay of certain individuals in the natural
grass industry," said FieldTurf Tarkett CEO David Moszkowski. "The
natural grass industry, with over $40 billion in annual sales of
herbicides, pesticides, sod and seed, has been running a very
organized attack against artificial grass to prevent the erosion of
their market share. They have been feeding false and misleading
information to local communities, environmental groups and media
sources in an attempt to scare people with phony claims of danger from
the rubber granules from used tires. As the global leader, it is
FieldTurf Tarkett's responsibility to provide accurate information to
make sure everyone understands the truth."
The results of this study should come as no surprise to the scientific
community. Hundreds of such studies carried out by and for
governmental health, safety and environmental agencies worldwide have
reached similar conclusions.
These are further validated by a significant amount of research done
by FIFA, SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association), the French
Laboratory of Research & Control for Rubber & Plastics, The Dutch
National Institute for Public Health & The Environment, The European
Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the
Environment, The University of Dortmund Institute for Environmental
Research, The Swiss Federal Authority of Health, The Norwegian
Institute of Public Health, The Radium Hospital Danish Ministry of the
Environment -- along with many other reputable organizations
worldwide.
Since its revolution of the artificial grass industry, and indeed the
world of sport itself, FieldTurf, the global leader in artificial
turf, has made a commitment to positively impact the environment.
With a commitment to innovative ways to reduce waste, reuse resources
and recycle products, FieldTurf's patented infill process features
only clean, washed silica sand and cryogenically processed rubber
granules, whose recycling process eliminates all metallic and
polyester residues.
The success of FieldTurf has resulted in massive reductions in the use
of water and dangerous chemicals. A typical natural grass football
field can use 3,000,000 gallons of water per year. Over 90,000,000
pounds of herbicides; 1,400,000,000 pounds of commercially produced
synthetic fertilizer; and 420,000,000,000 pounds of pesticides are
used each year to maintain natural grass. FieldTurf eliminates the
need for these toxic materials in providing its proven safe and
durable playing fields.
For more information on FieldTurf, please visit www.fieldturf.com and
grassestimate.com