Abstract
This work uses passive samplers to identify PAHs and OPAHs not previously associated with artificial turf, and to provide the first quantitative measure of in situ flux of semi-volatile contaminants on artificial turf fields. Both air (1.5-m height) and turf air (immediately above turf surface) were sampled using two sampling materials: low-density polyethylene and silicone. Utilizing a broad targeted screen, we assess both artificial turf and samples of crumb rubber for over 1530 chemicals including pesticides, phthalates, and personal care products. We report the presence of 25 chemicals that have not yet been reported in artificial turf literature, including some with known human effects. The samplers were also quantitatively analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons yielding gas-phase concentrations at breathing height and surface level—the first such report on an artificial turf outdoor field. Turf pore-air and air chemicals were highly correlated at all sites, and particularly at the recently installed indoor site. Flux of chemicals between air and turf surface appear to follow field age although more research is needed to confirm this trend. The thermal extraction process and silicone passive samplers used are suitable for larger-scale environmental sampling campaigns that aim for less solvent and sample processing. By co-deploying silicone passive samplers and conventional low-density polyethylene, partitioning coefficients are derived that can be used for future silicone passive air sampling environmental assessment. This study provides an initial demonstration that passive samplers can be used to quantify volatile and semi-volatile organic chemicals from artificial turf.
Highlights
Professional and amateur athletes commonly compete and practice on artificial turf
Oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs) are formed as photo-oxidation products of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Lundstedt et al 2007), and formation of OPAHs is likely in the highsun environment typical on outdoor sports fields
Our objectives in this study were to use passive samplers to (1) identify gas-phase PAHs and OPAHs not previously associated with artificial turf by using a broad and targeted screen to assess both artificial turf and crumb rubber for 1530 chemicals, including several with known health effects; and (2) quantify PAH and OPAH flux between turf and the overlying air
Summary
The latest generation of artificial turf is composed of several layers to mimic the look and feel of grass, often including plastic Bgrass^ fibers and infill made of crumb rubber and/or sand (Cheng et al 2014). Semi-volatile organic chemicals, e.g., phthalates, benzothiazole, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are used in tire production and are commonly detected in crumb rubber analyses (Celeiro et al 2014; Cheng et al. Air Qual Atmos Health (2019) 12:597–611. OPAHs are formed as photo-oxidation products of PAHs (Lundstedt et al 2007), and formation of OPAHs is likely in the highsun environment typical on outdoor sports fields. To the authors’ knowledge, only targeted approaches have been used when characterizing the crumb rubber on artificial turf fields. Non-specific sampling and analytical methods are still needed to fully characterize artificial turf fields
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