PFAS Leaching From Artificial Turf Into Urban Stormwater Systems

Toxic PFAS chemicals are getting into city stormwater systems from artificial turf fields, which is bad for people's health and the environment

Sunday, July 20, 2025 - Cities all over the country are finding out about a new pollution problem: artificial turf fields can be leaking PFAS, which are also called "forever chemicals," into storm drains and water systems. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, are used to help turf blades and padding last longer and be less affected by heat and water. But those chemicals don't stay there when it rains. Recent investigations have shown that PFAS can seep from turf surfaces into runoff, which then flows into municipal drainage systems that feed into rivers, lakes, and even drinking water supplies. Environmental groups say that even minute levels of PFAS can build up over time in the environment and in people, where they have been linked to cancer, immunological disorders, and developmental defects. A PFAS water contamination lawyer argues that lawsuits are likely if cities don't do anything, especially since there are more and more PFAS water litigation cases around the country against manufacturers, distributors, and governmental bodies. Cities that used to assume turf was a low-maintenance alternative to grass are now thinking about the long-term consequences of using it.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that PFAS chemicals don't break down readily and are currently in the water, soil, and blood of most Americans. PFAS have been found in stormwater samples taken from areas downstream of sports facilities, schoolyards, and playgrounds that employ synthetic turf. Scientists and public health groups say that the problem needs to be dealt with right away because many stormwater systems aren't built to handle chemical runoff, which means that PFAS can easily seep into nearby ecosystems. Legal experts believe that the rules we have now are far behind the science, so communities aren't very safe until towns or states decide to do anything. Some communities are thinking of banning or putting a hold on new turf installations, while others are looking into how to add filtration devices to existing fields. But retrofitting costs a lot of money, and many school districts and local governments just don't have the money. That money difference might become a legal problem in future PFAS water litigation, especially if communities can establish that runoff exposure caused harm. In the meantime, parents, athletes, and environmental groups are asking for improved information about the risks of artificial turf and more open monitoring of water quality in areas that are used a lot.

People pitched artificial turf fields as an easy cure because they didn't need to be mowed, were always green, and didn't need any care. But now we can perceive the hidden costs. The PFAS chemicals that are utilized in turf don't stay on the field. They wash into storm drains and then come out downstream, where people and animals can see them. In the next few years, cities will be under increased pressure to reassess how they use turf, especially around schools and parks. Lawsuits could make grass makers and cities responsible for dealing with runoff. This is another example of how convenience can cost you in the long run, especially when the chemicals involved last forever.

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