The Federal Government is now investigating a possible link between lead in artificial turf fields and cancer.

Three government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency announced this week they will begin research into the recycled tire crumbs that layer artificial soccer fields.

The issue of artificial turf was spotlighted when it was used in the 2015 Women’s World Cup. It was the first World Cup to be played on turf.

Hampton Dellinger led a gender discrimination lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of international women soccer players against soccer’s governing body, FIFA, and the Canadian Soccer Association.

The men’s World Cup has always been played on a grass field, which is the standard for high level international matches.

“People who know anything about soccer know that the most important games at the international level are played on grass,” said Dellinger.

Artificial turf fields became popular because of the low costs and ease of maintenance.

According to a report by USA Today, the EPA had advocated for the use of artificial turf since 1995. But they recently admitted in a statement that “more research needs to be done.”

The rubber crumbs are also popular as a playground surface.

While Dellinger’s lawsuit sought to protect the players from short-term injuries like skin infection, the long term risk could be much greater.

“I think it is long overdue and a great thing that federal agencies are going to take an in-depth and very scientific review of whether artificial turf surfaces are safe,” said Dellinger.

The real concern is for soccer players who spend years playing on the artificial turf.

“Children around the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, whether they are playing Rainbow soccer or some of the other great youth football, that is soccer leagues, are playing for years and that’s why there really needs to be intensive, scientific, rigorous studies on the safety or not of artificial turf,” said Dellinger.

According to the USA Today, there are over 11,000 artificial turf fields across the country.

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