Per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS) are frequently used
in the production of rubber and plastic, but little is known about
the identity, concentration, or prevalence of PFAS in these products.
In this study, a representative sample of plastic- and rubber-containing
artificial turf (AT) fields from Stockholm, Sweden, was subjected
to total fluorine (TF), extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and target
PFAS analysis. TF was observed in all 51 AT samples (ranges of 16–313,
12–310, and 24–661 μg of F/g in backing, filling,
and blades, respectively), while EOF and target PFAS occurred in <42%
of all samples (<200 and <1 ng of F/g, respectively). A subset
of samples extracted with water confirmed the absence of fluoride.
Moreover, application of the total oxidizable precursor assay revealed
negligible perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) formation across all three sample
types, indicating that the fluorinated substances in AT are not low-molecular
weight PFAA precursors. Collectively, these results point toward polymeric
organofluorine (e.g., fluoroelastomer, polytetrafluoroethylene, and
polyvinylidene fluoride), consistent with patent literature. The combination
of poor extractability and recalcitrance toward advanced oxidation
suggests that the fluorine in AT does not pose an imminent risk to
users. However, concerns surrounding the production and end of life
of AT, as well as the contribution of filling and blades to environmental
microplastic contamination, remain.
