News Brief: Zero Waste Ithaca protests artificial turf

On Thursday, June 1 Zero Waste Ithaca members gathered at Ithaca College’s Alumni Circle to protest the installation of turf fields. The installment of the artificial turf, which is expected to be ready for the Fall 2023 season, comes after Monica Bertino Wooden ‘81 donated $3 million. 

Turf fields are currently under scrutiny for the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, that they contain. According to the FDA, PFAS are a diverse group of thousands of chemicals used in hundreds of types of products. PFAS in the environment can enter the food supply through plants and animals grown, raised, or processed in contaminated areas.

Artificial turf is made of plastic and shredded tires. For the “grass” to be installed, 6-10 inches of shredded tire bits will need to be filled into the field. The concern with the tire pieces and the turf itself is the chemicals that will be released over time. Microplastics will make their way off the field and into water runoff that can contaminate soil, water, and ultimately food in agricultural areas. Artificial turf also breaks down in UV light, causing the release of more chemicals.

In contrast to the Ithaca Town Boards’ actions of allowing this process to continue, states have taken steps to address the issue. Zero Waste Ithaca called for Ithaca College to halt their installation of artificial turf because the NYS Senate is proposing bills that would put a moratorium on artificial turf installation until further research is conducted (Bill S7239). The California Assembly also just passed a bill (A1423) to ban the use of artificial turf altogether. Massachusetts has also ban the use of artificial turf for its chemicals and posed health risks.