The Brian Lehrer Show Climate and the 'Turf Wars'
Aug 19, 2025
Michael J. Coren, a Climate Coach advice columnist for The Washington Post, dives into the controversial world of artificial turf, shedding light on its health and environmental consequences. He discusses the dangers of harmful chemicals in synthetic surfaces, especially for children. Coren highlights the debate over safety risks, injury rates, and heat issues faced by athletes. He also explores innovative materials like coconut infill and advocates for policy changes in urban turf management, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness in this ongoing turf war.
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What Artificial Turf Is Made Of
- Artificial turf is a layered system with plastic backing, blades, shock pads, and crumb rubber infill made from thousands of ground tires per field.
- Those components contain common plastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon) and crumb rubber that drive concerns about persistent chemicals.
Epidemiologist Refuses Turf For His Kids
- Yale epidemiologist Vasilis Vasilio avoided letting his kids play on turf after smelling tire chemicals at a hot World Cup day and investigating tire chemistry.
- His review found trace toxicants in materials but he has not completed risk studies tying exposures to health outcomes.
Exposure Found But Risk Remains Unclear
- EPA exposure assessments found chemicals on people after turf contact but did not show elevated blood levels in tested studies.
- Absence of evidence of harm so far does not equal safety given children's vulnerability and gaps in long-term risk studies.