Artificial pitches impacting on freshwater - ATU and UCD

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a report undertaken by Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and UCD highlighting how artificial grass, such as those used on football pitches, are contaminating the environment.

The EPA report titled “Sources, Pathways and Environmental Fate of Microplastics” aims to develop a better understanding of the sources of environmental microplastics, the export pathways of microplastics from agri- to freshwater systems and the risk of transfer of these microplastics through the aquatic food web. Approximately 80% of marine litter derives from land-based sources, with rivers identified as one of the most important pathways of micro-plastics.

Part of the study looked at the impact of plastic used in artificial pitches on our marine environment. Microplastics, are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimetres in size, or smaller than the rubber on a pencil, can be broken down from larger plastic items. Artificial grass in pitches is essentially a plastic woven carpet, which is filled in with rubber granules, often made from low-cost recycled car tyres known as Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR).

The study has identified several pathways, including on the boots and clothes of players, where microplastics can end up in our local water ways either directly or via waste water.

Microplastics have been identified in this study from small freshwater insects, fish such as trout, and otters. Further recent studies abroad have found that microplastics can be harmful to aquatic life and can enter the food chain when ingested, and in some case ultimately ending up on our plates. This could have devastating consequences, as microplastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

Full report at epa.ie.

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