The Committee of 100 advocates for a city-wide ban on any further use of artificial turf in any new or replacement application on public and private property. Emerging scientific evidence has raised new questions about toxic chemical contaminants as well as microplastic pollutants associated with artificial turf and the risks they pose to players, the community, and the surrounding environment. These are added to other concerns about artificial turf, including heat, increased injury, and climate effects.
We should not be hurting our children, our communities and our environment. We should be looking towards the future by actions we can take now. Please consider the safer alternative and stop the use of plastic turf on both public and private land in our city. Healthy playing fields are deserved by all our citizens without distinction.
Committee of 100 Resolution on Artificial Turf
Be it resolved that, after a review of available scientific research, the Committee of 100 on the Federal City has determined that the use of artificial turf poses unacceptable risks to the environment, climate and human health. Therefore, consistent with the actions of numerous states and other local governments, the Committee of 100 (i) recommends the adoption of a city-wide ban on any further use of artificial turf in any new or replacement application on public and private property used for human recreation purposes, and (ii) urges the City Council to review and amend the Safe Fields and Playgrounds Act of 2018 to incorporate and apply the Act’s relevant provisions to private as well as public playing fields to safeguard all District children and residents. Further, the Committee of 100 encourages the development and maintenance of natural turf fields by relevant DC entities including DC Parks and Recreation, DC General Services and DC Public Schools and urges the Department of Parks and Recreation to develop, post and enforce guidelines for safe play on pre-existing District artificial turf fields during hot weather.
Approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees on April 16, 2025