Welcome to Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc.

The SHPFI logo in green lettering with two clumps of grass on either side, all on a blue background.
 

OUR MISSION

Supporting communities and providing the facts We equip communities and policymakers with the facts and science of why grass fields are superior to artificial turf plastic fields, and why natural-surface playgrounds are superior to synthetic surfaces.

OUR WORK

Advocating for informed decisions For over a decade we’ve focused on supporting communities facing decisions related to field surfaces, by breaking down the arguments pro and con:

  • Heat

  • Toxicity

  • Cost

  • Injury rates

  • Disposal & replacement  

Providing the tools for informed decisions SHPFI and our allies work to provide accurate, thorough information to the parents, coaches, athletes, elected officials, parks and school facilities managers, press, and others who need authoritative information on these issues. We collaborate constantly with others who share our concerns including state and municipal legislators, doctors and scientists, and media, civic and advocacy organizations, as well as concerned citizens. 

SHPFI serves as a clearinghouse for published studies, news reports, hearing transcripts and legislation, plus photos, videos, and more. These materials are critical for communities choosing between natural and synthetic for their sports fields and playgrounds. We have compiled decades of resources, available to all.

Staying independent SHPFI is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit, obtaining non-profit status in 2019 following more than a decade of outreach, education and advocacy as a loose national coalition of individuals and organizations. All members of the Board of Directors are free of any entanglement or financial interests with any aspect of sports-field or playground industries. 

SHPFI welcomes your support, financial and otherwise.  


INTRODUCTION TO SYNTHETIC PLAYING FIELD PROBLEMS

By the end of 2018 at least 100 million pounds of plastic and tire waste will have entered air water and landfills from disposal of synthetic turf fields. An equivalent amount of petroleum-based plastic will be used to create new fields. Children face unique risks from toxins, heat, hardness and abrasions playing on plastic fields (with any kind of infill) or playgrounds made from tires. Injury is one major risk - read United States women's soccer team Sydney Leroux account Why Turf is Terrible for Soccer Players.

For a good overview about the health hazards see: National Center for Health Research Letter to DC. 

If you want to do more research or want more information, please see Environment and Human Health, Inc., www.synturf.org, Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, and CleanEarth4Kids.

LEAD FOUND IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND IN WASHINGTON, DC

High concentrations of lead have been found at Janney Elementary School.  Multiple samples from a rubberized poured in place (PIP) playground at Janney Elementary School tested positive for high concentrations of lead. These elevated lead levels should result in the immediate closure of the Janney PIP. 

This same PIP material is present in playgrounds throughout the District.  It is possible that some or all of these other locations also have dangerously high lead levels that put our city’s children at risk.

Read more about it!

 

Synthetic Turf Fields are Failing - SEE how synthetic turf fields degrade over time

DO YOU Want to Contribute? Volunteer? Send information & resources?

The precautionary principle

"When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof. The process of applying the precautionary principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially affected parties. It must also involve an examination of the full range of alternatives, including no action."  

-  Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle, January 1998

Friends don't let friends play on toxic turf!