Santa Clara County supervisors are considering a ban on artificial turf on county-owned land due to environmental and health concerns. Parents and activists are raising alarms after a local high school’s old artificial turf field was disposed of improperly. The district claimed the turf was sent for recycling, but parents tracked trucks unloading it at a San Martin property, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the recycling process. Artificial turf contains harmful chemicals, including “forever chemicals” like PFAS, and is difficult to recycle, leading to fears that old fields contribute to plastic pollution.
The Santa Clara County Medical Association has recommended against artificial turf, citing potential hazards like carcinogens and neurotoxins. However, the debate continues, with both sides preparing for a vote by the county board of supervisors in January.
See the full report from NBC Bay Area News below.
