What impacts do synthetic surfaces for sports and playgrounds have on health and the environment?
For many years, tyre granules have been used as infill material for synthetic sports pitches and playgrounds. These materials have raised concerns about their potential impact on health and the environment. ANSES has therefore analysed the studies and expert assessments currently available on this topic, along with the latest regulatory changes. Here is an update on this subject.
What are synthetic pitches and playgrounds?
One of the main ways of reusing tyre waste is to recycle it in the form of granules for the production of synthetic surfaces and coatings.
These may be:
- tyre granules in loose form used in synthetic turf pitches, etc.
- bonded granules used to form solid materials such as slabs or surfaces for play areas, for indoor or outdoor use.
What is known about their impact on health and the environment?
In 2019, the Agency reviewed available knowledge on the subject, with an update in 2024 to take account of regulatory changes and the results of studies completed since then.
The data collected concern the chemicals used in the composition of these surfaces, as well as for their production, installation and maintenance.
Following an assessment by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), since 2022 European regulations have imposed a concentration limit of 20 mg/kg for the sum of eight PAHs (polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons) in loose granules used as infill material in artificial turf, playgrounds or sports applications.
Additionally, current data point to the existence of potential environmental risks associated with the transfer of chemicals (zinc, phenols, etc.) into soil and water in particular. In 2023, the European Commission adopted measures to ban the placing on the market of loose granules from tyre waste used as infill material in synthetic turf pitches. This ban, applicable from 2031 onwards, is intended to reduce intentional emissions of microplastics into the environment.
These regulations do not apply to slabs made from compacted or resin-bonded tyre granules used as shock-absorbing indoor or outdoor sports surfaces.
What are ANSES’s recommendations on the use of synthetic pitches?
Without waiting for regulatory changes, ANSES recommends that manufacturers and distributors of synthetic pitches eliminate from the composition of these materials any intentionally added chemicals (like thiazoles or phthalates, etc.) that may be harmful to the environment and human health. These substances are added either to offer specific features such as a coloured surface, or as part of the tyre granule production process. In addition, the Agency calls for the limitation of any accidental release into the environment of microplastics that may result from the wear and tear of synthetic pitches, in order to minimise their environmental impact.
Furthermore, in view of the uncertainties and methodological limitations of the scientific reports on human health and the lack of information needed to characterise the possible risks to the environment, ANSES recommends continuing to analyse the substances present in the bonded granules used in order to specify the composition of marketed products and articles. It also recommends that measurements be taken to determine the composition of indoor air in buildings housing solid synthetic pitches incorporating bonded granules.