 Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post An artificial turf field on a summer day is hotter than grass and asphalt. Here’s what to know about the debate over grass vs. turf. Column by Michael J. Coren Yale epidemiologist Vasilis Vasiliou won’t let any of his five children play on artificial turf fields. His research on the infill for synthetic turf — typically ground-up tires — identified the presence of dozens of known carcinogens, hormone disrupters, toxic metals and phthalates. What’s really needed, he said, are rigorous studies showing the extent to which those chemicals find their way into young players’ bodies and what that might mean for their health over time. Until then, Vasiliou said, “I would not recommend parents let their children play on there. Period.” Read the full article
 The debate over whether to install turf over grass fields has become a referendum on sports, health, the environment and the use of scarce public resources.
By Ken Belson and Hiroko Tabuchi July 26, 2025 Across the country, cities and towns are replacing grass fields with synthetic turf, a change that is driven by youth sports teams eager for more year-round playing spaces and the multibillion-dollar turf industry working to convince communities that plastic fields are better than natural ones. Many local officials, at the urging of families involved in youth sports, say turf fields can easily be played on after it rains and don’t need to be mowed or reseeded. But some residents, environmentalists and coaches are pushing back, claiming turf — which is made of plastic blades that mimic the look of grass and often sit on a layer of crumb rubber — is expensive to maintain because it must be replaced after several years, is vulnerable to flooding and exposes children to harmful chemicals and hotter temperatures. The debate over whether to install turf over grass fields has become a referendum on sports, health, the environment and the use of scarce public resources. In 2022, Boston effectively banned the installation of artificial turf, and municipalities in California, Connecticut and elsewhere have followed suit. Read the article |
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