The Synthetic Turf Industry Playbook
In the 1950's the tobacco industry used a strategy to protect profits and delay regulation that is known as the "tobacco industry playbook." The same strategy is used today to defend the products of numerous industries, including the fossil fuel and synthetic turf industries.
The synthetic turf industry has hired product defense firm Gradient to help them counter community concerns about their products. The Center for Public Integrity describes Gradient as belonging to "a breed of scientific consulting firms that defends the products of its corporate clients beyond credulity, even exhaustively studied substances whose dangers are not in doubt, such as asbestos, lead and arsenic." The scientists who defend these products have been dubbed "rented white coats."
The synthetic turf industry has hired product defense firm Gradient to help them counter community concerns about their products. The Center for Public Integrity describes Gradient as belonging to "a breed of scientific consulting firms that defends the products of its corporate clients beyond credulity, even exhaustively studied substances whose dangers are not in doubt, such as asbestos, lead and arsenic." The scientists who defend these products have been dubbed "rented white coats."
A snapshot from the Synthetic Turf Council website with an old tobacco ad for comparison
These rented white coats are hired to write opinion pieces in local papers, perform testing of synthetic turf materials, write reviews or risk assessments, provide testimonials and attend community meetings. It can be difficult for community members to have an equal voice since they may be dismissed as not being "experts" on scientific matters when the information they bring forward is being downplayed by consultants. These consultants may have conflicts of interest or may misrepresent their affiliations to appear unbiased and independent.
For example, consulting firms have promised municipalities PFAS-free synthetic turf, and when this was disproven, other consultants then wrote assessments that downplay the risks of exposure. These same firms have even sponsored events where a notorious rented white coat, known for opposing limits for PFAS on behalf of the chemical industry, is the headlining speaker.
These rented white coats are hired to write opinion pieces in local papers, perform testing of synthetic turf materials, write reviews or risk assessments, provide testimonials and attend community meetings. It can be difficult for community members to have an equal voice since they may be dismissed as not being "experts" on scientific matters when the information they bring forward is being downplayed by consultants. These consultants may have conflicts of interest or may misrepresent their affiliations to appear unbiased and independent.
For example, consulting firms have promised municipalities PFAS-free synthetic turf, and when this was disproven, other consultants then wrote assessments that downplay the risks of exposure. These same firms have even sponsored events where a notorious rented white coat, known for opposing limits for PFAS on behalf of the chemical industry, is the headlining speaker.
The same names showing up in headlines and community meetings have published papers together in industry-backed journals, downplaying the risk of toxic chemicals like PFAS, recommending much higher safety limits than the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed.
The Four Dog Defense
A common tactic of the industry playbook is known as the "Four Dog Defense." It's a way of moving the goalposts to delay regulatory action so that companies can continue to profit from their products for as long as possible, despite clear warning signals about hazards that may be appearing.
- My dog doesn’t bite. - Deny that the product is harmful.
- My dog bites, but it didn’t bite you. - Yes, there are harmful chemicals, but they won't affect you.
- My dog bit you, but it didn’t hurt you. - Okay, you might be exposed, but the levels are so low they won't harm you.
- My dog bit you and it hurt you but it wasn’t my fault, it’s yours. - You knew, so you should have taken precautions.
How to Counter the Playbook
What can community members do to "level the playing field" and stand up against these well-funded and sophisticated-appearing industry tactics?
Don't be intimidated. Technical jargon and an advanced degree may dazzle some, but there is no special training required for plain old common sense. The voices of affected communities have more weight and value than the opinions of consultants who often skirt accountability and will not be left with the consequences of the choices that are made.
While the science continues to progress on the safety of artificial playing surfaces, stakeholders can urge for precaution, ask leaders to be skeptical of industry claims, and choose known safe alternatives like natural grass.
- Educate yourself on the available evidence
- Expose industry talking points and strategies
- Share the independent science and data
Don't be intimidated. Technical jargon and an advanced degree may dazzle some, but there is no special training required for plain old common sense. The voices of affected communities have more weight and value than the opinions of consultants who often skirt accountability and will not be left with the consequences of the choices that are made.
While the science continues to progress on the safety of artificial playing surfaces, stakeholders can urge for precaution, ask leaders to be skeptical of industry claims, and choose known safe alternatives like natural grass.