Scary New ESPN Report Offers Compelling Evidence Of Links Between Field Turf And Cancer

A new ESPN E:60 report certainly gives credence to the fact that more research needs to be done about the artificial turf fields which so many athletes across the United States use recreationally and professionally every day, as the case continues to mount that field turf’s rubber pellets may possibly be responsible for causing cancer in young athletes. While the E:60 report is obviously not academic research conducted by health professionals, it does include the thoughts and opinions of a variety of them in addition to segments devoted to former athletes, coaches, and families who have been affected by cancer, all sharing the common link of the presence and use of artificial field turf.

Namely, ESPN’s eye-opening report suggests that soccer goalies may be among the most at risk athletes given their proclivity towards repeatedly diving onto the turf and notes the high-incidence of cancer cases seen at the position nationwide. Healthcare officials posit that ingesting the rubber pellets or repeated contact with them is thought to cause cancer, and preliminary surveys have indicated up to 11 different carcinogenic chemicals in the rubber pellets often used to simulate the dirt part of a the turf. It’s really scary to think about, especially since ESPN reveals there are more than 12,000 artificial turf athletic fields throughout America, most of which are used by people every day. Community centers, high schools, universities, even playgrounds – you can honestly find them anywhere.

E:60’s Julie Foudy, a former US National Soccer Team midfielder, did a fantastic job investigating the use of crumb rubber on synthetic turf fields in this piece far from the norm when it comes to sports journalism. According to ESPN’s description of the video, she “talk[ed] to those who make it, those who have studied it, [and conducted] an exclusive interview with the head of the EPA, and the people who play on it every day…all with one question in mind. Is turf safe?”

You can be the judge of that. The entire new E:60 segment is well-worth a watch.

One thing is clear, though: we should hold the EPA to finding the funding to do more research about this topic. Clearly, it needs to be done. For the kids of this country who go out and play on these fields day in and day out without the slightest notion that pursuing athletic glory could ever lead to a terminal diagnosis. Because if that’s the case, we’re doing those children a grave injustice by allowing them to play on those fields.

[h/t For The Win]

ON A LIGHTER NOTE…

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