I play ball on a few fields that have artificial turf in the outfields. The turf seems to be “sprinkled” with what looks like small black pellets. What’s the purpose of this? And did I not hear some controversy about chemicals leaching from them?
Some artificial turf fields use ground up tires as the base. AFAIK, it’s just part of the manufacturing process to make it seem more like grass. There is some thought that the tires might have carcinogens in it, but it’s not been proven yet.
That stuff is called crumb rubber and it’s like an artificial dirt added to artificial turf that cushions people who fall. It helps reduce injuries to athletes.
Studies are ongoing but so far it appears that while the source material is potentially carcinogenic, people are unlikely to be affected by it, either because very little is ingested or inhaled, or because what is ingested/inhaled won’t affect you. One newer concern, which I don’t think has been investigated yet, is whether the granules will emit harmful vapors if exposed to high heat for extended periods of time.
There are some concerns that it could cause lymphomas among young girls who play goalie in soccer.