Understanding Human Exposure (Biomonitoring Study)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted a follow-up biomonitoring study (measuring chemicals in the body) for individuals who play on synthetic turf fields with tire crumb rubber infill. The biomonitoring study is a larger-scale assessment of exposure potential for individuals who use or play on synthetic turf fields with tire crumb rubber infill.
CDC/ATSDR analyzed information collected from 132 people who participated in physical activities on selected synthetic turf fields (indoor and outdoor) with tire crumb rubber infill and 29 people who participated in physical activities on selected natural grass fields.
Research participants were asked to
- Respond to a questionnaire including information like the types of physical activities they do on the fields, how much time they spend on the field, and in what ways they come into physical contact with the field surfaces; and
- Provide a urine sample before and after practice on the field.
Research participants spent about 50 minutes total on the study.
In 2024, CDC/ATSDR researchers released the results of the supplemental biomonitoring study within Appendix A of EPA’s and CDC/ATSDR’s Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Research Under the Federal Research Action Plan Final Report: Part 2 – Exposure Characterization Volumes 1 and 2.