Artificial Turf In Kittery:
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At What Cost? 

The Town of Kittery is considering a proposal by the Kittery Athletics & Field Committee and the Kittery Community Center Board of Directors to improve recreation and athletic spaces in Kittery. The proposed plan for Memorial Field includes the conversion of the natural grass field to an artificial turf (“plastic grass”) field. Learn more about the proposed plan here.

KCAN recognizes the need for additional and improved playing fields and thanks the residents who have worked on master planning. However, based on research from leading medical and consumer safety organizations, KCAN advocates for the installation of high performance natural grass fields to protect the environment and health of Kittery children.

The Town’s proposal to install an artificial turf field at Memorial Field stands in stark contrast to Maine’s recently passed PFAS law, which will ban the installation of artificial turf fields in just over 4 years. It is unclear how this will affect the Town’s ability to replace the artificial turf field, which will need to be replaced in 8-10 years. 

KCAN's FACT SHEET ON ARTIFICIAL TURF

TAKE ACTION:  

• Submit a public comment to Town Council voicing your concerns over artificial turf and requesting the proposal be revised to exclude artificial turf by Monday, September 9th.
  • Comments can be made in person, on zoom, or submitted by email to [email protected]. Comments need to be submitted by 12pm (noon) on September 9th. (Learn more here.)
• Send an email to Kittery Town Councilors urging them to take a stance on artificial turf now to ensure the protection and safety of the community and the environment. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & SOURCES:  

CHILDREN'S HEALTH: 

• Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful impacts of synthetic turf: 
  • Chemical exposure: Through inhalation of chemicals and particles; dermal contact and absorption through the skin or open wounds; and ingestion of turf infill particles
  • ​Extreme Heat: Artificial surface temperatures can get up to 60 degrees higher than natural grass
  • High Rate of Injuries: Athletes playing on turf fields have been shown to have more abrasions or “turf burns,” which can harbor infection and may increase exposure to turf chemicals. Studies also show that athletes are at higher risk of knee and ankle injuries and concussions.
    • A comprehensive system study of injuries related to synthetic turf suggests a higher rate of foot and ankle injuries on artificial turf, both old-generation and new-generation turf, compared with natural grass.
    • The NFL and major league soccer are moving away from synthetic turf due to injuries
  • Sources: Mount Sinai's Position Statement, Mount Sinai's Statement on Artificial Turf Health Risks, Industry, Synthetic Turf: Industry Claims versus the Science, Athletic Playing Fields: Choosing Safer Options for Health and the Environment (TURI) 
• ​​​PFAS: In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been identified in turf field components, most notably in grass blades and in some infill types.
  • The EPA has stated that there are NO SAFE LEVELS OF PFAS in drinking water 
  • Careful reading of the 22 studies on industry’s list shows that many of them had serious testing flaws and limitations. These studies do not serve as proof that synthetic turf fields are safe. 
  • Sources: Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Artificial Turf Carpet from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMASS Lowell, Mount Sinai's Position Statement, Athletic Playing Fields: Choosing Safer Options for Health and the Environment (TURI), New Studies Show PFAS in Artificial Grass Blades and Backing (EWG)

ENVIRONMENT: 

• Artificial turf CANNOT be recycled or re-used, regardless of what industry claims
• The manufacturing, installation, service and disposal of a 2-acre artificial turf field facility are responsible for the generation of a total of 55.6 tons of carbon dioxide, in addition to other greenhouse gasses and pollutants.
• Artificial turf increases stormwater runoff while degrading the quality of the water entering storm drains and streams.
• Synthetic surface pollutant in the form of rubber granules pollute storm and sewer drains, rivers and other bodies of water, and groundwater and wells. 
• Infill material and broken synthetic grass fibers are dispersed in environments surrounding artificial turf fields, contributing to the pollution of microplastics 
• Replacing natural grass reduces habitat for small organisms
• Sources:  TURI - Choosing Safer Options for Health and the Environment, Climate Change Fact Sheet, The dark side of artificial greening: Plastic turfs as widespread pollutants of aquatic environments, Athletic Playing Fields: Choosing Safer Options for Health and the Environment (TURI)

LEGAL & ECONOMIC COSTS:

• On April 16, 2024, Maine enacted amendments revising the state perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) law. This law generally prohibits the sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS and includes notification requirements for products with intentionally added PFAS that would continue to be sold. Artificial turf will be banned in the State of Maine, effective January 1, 2029. 
  • ​Source: LD 1537

ALTERNATIVE: HIGH PERFORMING ORGANIC GRASS: 

• Building an Organic Maintenance Program for Athletic Fields: Guidance from Experts and Experienced Communities
• Natural Grass Playing Field Case Study: Springfield, MA
• See Nontoxic Communities list of other communities who have installed organic grass 

 IN THE NEWS: 

• Boston bans artificial turf in parks due to toxic ‘forever chemicals’
• ‘Our community has been deceived’: Turf wars mount over PFAS
• Turf fields may have 'forever chemicals.' Should kids be playing on them (Washington Post)
• It’s raining PFAS 
• Fisher Cats' stadium to become first in pro baseball to have organically managed grass
• Artificial turf fields may do more harm than good, critics say
• Why We Don’t Recommend Artificial Grass for Most People (NYTimes)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

• Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI)
  
• Nontoxic Communities
• ​Safe Healthy Playing Fields