![\"Text](\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/a\/assets\/texttospeech.svg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Listen to this article<\/p>\n
Estimated 5 minutes<\/p>\n
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n
A new study from the University of British Columbia is raising concerns about the environmental impact of artificial turf fields across Metro Vancouver, which, it says, is leaching a chemical that\u2019s deadly to coho salmon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The study, published this month<\/a> in the journal Environmental Science Processes & Impacts, found the fields release a chemical known as 6PPD-quinone into stormwater systems that can eventually make their way into streams and rivers when it rains.\u00a0<\/p>\n Researchers traced the pollution to crumb rubber infill, the small black pellets commonly used in artificial turf.<\/p>\n \u201cThat black rubbery stuff in artificial turf fields is actually ground-up used tires,\u201d said Rachel Scholes, a UBC assistant professor and co-author of the study. \u201cWe thought there was potential that when it rains, those small black particles would leach contaminants into the water.\u201d<\/p>\n Scientists collected samples of the infill from 12 fields across Metro Vancouver, as well as stormwater from the drainage systems of three fields during rainstorms. The artificial turf had been in place for between one and 14 years.<\/p>\n Researchers say the issue is not limited to newer fields.<\/p>\n They found contamination can persist for years, with fields continuing to release pollutants throughout their lifespan \u2014 often more than a decade.<\/p>\n \u201cAn average turf field contains about 125 tonnes of crumb rubber, roughly 20,000 tires,\u201d said Katie Moloney, a PhD student in environmental engineering in UBC\u2019s Scholes Lab<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWith fields typically lasting a decade or more, they can become long-term sources of tire-derived pollution entering stormwater pipes, and ultimately fish-bearing waterways.\u201d<\/p>\n Moloney said even very small amounts of the chemical can be harmful.<\/p>\n \u201cThe comparison I make is, it\u2019s like a drop of water in an Olympic pool,\u201d she said. \u201cYou can have very low concentrations \u2026 and it\u2019s enough to kill off coho salmon, as well as some other fish species.\u201d<\/p>\n Scholes said the amount of 6PPD-quinone released exceeded the lethal concentration values for coho salmon, and would be deadly if they came in contact with it.<\/p>\n She added that other species, including juvenile cutthroat trout, have been shown to be harmed by the chemical.<\/p>\n Because many turf fields include a drainage layer underneath, the water that drains through gets collected into a stormwater pipe, Scholes said.<\/p>\n That water then connects to stormwater infrastructure for the city, or is discharged into surface waters without being treated by a wastewater treatment plant.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the largest concern for us,\u201d Scholes said.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774098789_457_default.jpg\")
Researchers say the fields release a tire chemical known as 6PPD-quinone, which they traced to the turf’s crumb rubber infill made from recycled tires. (Lou Bosshart\/UBC )<\/p>\n![\"Crumb](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774098789_758_default.jpg\")
Researchers say an average turf field contains about 125 tonnes of crumb rubber, that’s roughly 20,000 tires. (Maggie MacPherson\/CBC)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774098790_875_default.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774098790_87_default.jpg\")
Rubber pellets fly up from the synthetic turf during a Vancouver Whitecaps game from years ago. (Jason Franson\/The Canadian Press)<\/p>\n