ECHA identifies new chemicals in turf infill for “further risk assessment”

Helsinki – The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has completed its investigation of plastic and rubber granules used as infill in artificial turf, saying it has identified certain chemicals that need further examination.

The study, published 12 May, was requested by the European Commission in 2017 and reviewed infill substances for their human health and environment risks.

The study did not include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are currently reviewed to be restircted by REACH, or intentionally added microplastics, whose restriction proposal is currently in the European Commission for decision making.

ECHA said its preliminary human health risk assessment "does not exclude" a potential for cobalt and zinc to pose risks and should therefore be considered for risk management. 

The environmental risk assessment identified cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, zinc, 4-tert-octylphenol, 4,4´-isopropylidene diphenol (BPA), bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and benzothiazole-2-thiol as potential substances to pose risks to the environment and should therefore be considered for risk management.