Is SBR Infill Safe: Debunking Concerns

Rubber Granules Infill

If you’re wondering about the safety of SBR infill, let us put your mind at ease. Extensive research and numerous independent studies conducted since the late 1990s have overwhelmingly validated the safety of synthetic turf with SBR infill. These studies, conducted by reputable European and North American government agencies, have thoroughly examined the topic. The Synthetic Turf Council, a prominent organization in the United States, has compiled a wealth of these studies on their website (www.syntheticturfcouncil.org). Here are the key conclusions from two noteworthy studies:

One study conducted by Hofstra University on the environmental and health risks of rubber infill in 2007 states, “Based on the available literature on exposure to rubber crumb by swallowing, inhalation, and skin contact, and our experimental investigations on skin contact, we conclude that there is not a significant health risk due to the presence of rubber infill for football players on an artificial turf pitch with rubber infill from used car tires.”

Another comprehensive study conducted by the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 2013, in collaboration with the Society of Risk Analysis, examined the extraction of substances from infill and turf products in biofluids and the associated risk to children and adult athletes. The study found that concentrations of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) were generally below the level of detection for all targeted compounds. Additionally, the measured metal concentrations in field samples indicated that the risk would be minimal among all populations expected to use artificial turf fields.

We are committed to providing a safe environment for athletes, and these studies affirm the safety of SBR infill. By using our artificial turf with SBR infill, you can be confident in the well-being of your players.