Introduced in the 1960s as a low-maintenance alternative to natural grass synthetic turf is used for improving durability, safety, and playability; reduced water use, durability in extreme climates, and lower maintenance costs. However, synthetic turf degrades over time, shedding microplastics from fibers and infill materials. Crumb rubber infill (often made from recycled tires) and plastic turf fibers can fragment into small particles, which are carried by wind, runoff, and drainage systems into waterways. Heavy rainfall and irrigation wash microplastics, rubber granules, and chemical residues into stormwater systems, which often discharge into rivers and oceans.
Infill materials like crumb rubber and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) contain toxic substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals (zinc, lead, cadmium), and plasticizers, which leach into marine environments. Loose turf fibers and rubber granules accumulate in coastal and oceanic environments, adding to the global plastic waste crisis. Unlike natural materials, synthetic turf does not biodegrade, leading to long-term pollution.
This presentation will highlight the chracterisation and analysis of the microplastics from the synthetic turf collected from the local field traps.