Is it safe to let kids play on synthetic sports fields during practice?

What's actually in it

Synthetic sports fields are made of polyethylene fiber "grass" with crumb rubber or TPE infill. Running, kicking, and sliding across the surface releases airborne microplastic into the breathing zone at field level. Kids exercising on these fields breathe harder and deeper, so the inhalation dose is much larger than a sedentary exposure would be.

The crumb rubber infill itself often contains recycled tire rubber with PAHs, heavy metals, and VOCs.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Geochem Health measured airborne microplastic emissions from synthetic sports surfaces and associated health risks to children. The microplastic and chemical release was substantial during active play. Children's inhalation exposure during sports exceeded health-based thresholds in modeled scenarios.

For kids' sports, grass fields where available. Natural outdoor surfaces (dirt, sand, compacted soil) for play. For schools and leagues with synthetic fields, advocating for natural grass maintenance or phase-out is a community action. For kids on synthetic fields, changing clothes and washing hands/face right after play reduces the residue carry-over to home and food. Rinsing the nose with saline after heavy exposure helps clear particulates.