As communities across the country raise concerns about the safety of synthetic turf fields, a journalist for ABC News is bringing attention to the issue. Leah Sarnoff has reported on the presence of PFAS chemicals in these fields, which are known to pose potential health risks.

Synthetic turf fields have been praised for their low maintenance requirements and environmental advantages, but recent findings suggest that they may contain harmful chemicals. While regulatory agencies are taking steps to better understand and regulate exposure to PFAS, the full extent of its impact on human health is not yet fully clear.

Despite these concerns, the synthetic turf industry continues to grow, with thousands of new installations taking place each year in the United States. Dr. Kyla Bennett, director of science policy for PEER, questions whether it is wise to cover acres of land with plastic turf and allow athletes to play on it for hours each week without full knowledge of the potential risks involved.

The widespread use of PFAS chemicals in synthetic turf blades has raised concerns about leaching into the environment as the fields wear down or are disposed of. This could lead to soil and water contamination posing a threat to human health and the environment.

As awareness grows about the health effects of PFAS chemicals, there is also growing concern about the true cost of artificial turf installations over their full lifecycle. This increased awareness may have a significant impact on the synthetic turf industry as communities and decision-makers weigh potential risks against benefits when using synthetic turf fields.