PFAS, Turf Fields, and Norwalk’s Growing Debate Over Public Health and Environmental Safety

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk residents and city leaders are confronting questions about public health, environmental risks, and the future of artificial turf fields.

Artificial turf fields are drawing renewed scrutiny, particularly due to potential contamination from PFAS, a class of synthetic “forever chemicals” found in everything from cookware to water bottles.

During the Common Council’s April 8 capital budget vote, several members stated clearly that while funding was approved for projects like the Broad River complex, it did not authorize turf installation. “What we’re allocating is funding for the project, not for turf fields,” said Common Council member Barbara Smyth. “And that is a vote that will come to the Council later in the year.”

She continued, “Since we have learned about the PFAs, the forever chemicals and the blades, I am against turf fields, particularly at this site, where we have watershed… our oyster and oystering industry could be at risk, and… our drinking water.”

Council member Lisa Shanahan echoed those concerns: “We actually haven’t used one of our wells for the past five or six years, because we found PFAS. It is really expensive to get rid of PFAS once it’s in the water. It’s going to cost people in Norwalk millions of dollars to upgrade the water treatment plants… we shouldn’t be adding to the problem by having turf fields.”

Council member Nora Niedzielski-Eichner said she would not support turf at Broad River. “I am not intending to support the implementation of turf fields,” she said. “However, we want to make sure that the fields that are implemented are environmentally safe and are of high quality. We want to make sure that runoff from those fields does not include the forever chemicals like PFAS, does not include microplastics, that can damage important industries, such as our oyster industry.”

Resident and environmental advocate Diana Lauricella also weighed in: “I do know that you’re going to be hearing more about PFAS being in turf, not just the infill… Don’t add new ones until the jury comes in on the health data.”

What Are PFAS, and Should Norwalk Residents Be Worried?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals found in non-stick pans, water-resistant clothing, firefighting foam, food packaging, and — increasingly — artificial turf. They don’t break down naturally and can accumulate in soil, water, and the human body.

“There are some very clear toxicities, and there are some that are potential toxicities,” said Dr. Kathleen Mueller, a family physician and systems director of cancer survivorship and integrative medicine at Nuvance Health. “We know with strong evidence that PFAS can increase your cholesterol levels. We know that some PFAS can reduce your antibody response to vaccines, and that’s in children and adolescents.” She added, “There is definitely an increased risk of cancer of the kidney… and it can cause hypertension and preeclampsia in pregnancy.”

Mueller also cited “growing evidence that it can alter thyroid hormone levels, maybe your enzyme in your liver, may be connected with testicular cancer, may be connected with gastrointestinal inflammation, including ulcerative colitis.”

What’s in Norwalk’s Water?

According to South Norwalk Electric and Water (SNEW)’s 2024 water quality report, no PFAS were detected during their most recent testing. “This system was tested for PFAS compounds and Lithium, but none were detected in 2024,” the report stated.

The First District Water Department (FDWD), which serves other parts of Norwalk, did not detect PFAS either — but its most recent report is from 2023 and lacks detailed results. Because PFAS chemicals were not federally regulated at the time, utilities were not required to publish comprehensive data unless ordered under a public health advisory.

Mueller urged well water users in particular to be cautious. “When I look at the water in Norwalk… It’s particularly high in well water in Norwalk,” she said. “Someone with well water should maybe think about filtering their water.”

She recommended checking filter ratings at ewg.org, which lists countertop and whole-house systems that can reduce PFAS.

Reducing Exposure at Home

“There’s no way to reduce our exposure to plastics and PFAS 100%,” Mueller said. “But we don’t have to increase it by our behaviors.”

She recommended avoiding bottled water when possible. “We don’t know if those plastic water bottles were in Texas, in a warehouse, stored at 300 degrees, with all the plastics leaching into the water, then shipped to Connecticut, and then we drink from them,” she said. “The easiest solution, which is also really inexpensive, is a stainless steel or a glass water bottle that we reuse.”

Microwaving food in plastic containers is another behavior to avoid. “Don’t heat stuff in the microwave or on the stove in plastics, because then you increase the release of plastics into your food, particularly things with oil in them,” she said.

When asked about plastic food storage containers, she said, “There are thousands and thousands of chemicals that we are exposed to. My recommendation is, don’t do that research. Switch to glass, switch to your own storage containers, and reduce your risk overall.”

Even cookware and cosmetics matter. “There’s PFAS in Teflon, so we should not be cooking with Teflon pans,” Mueller said. “Dental floss and some cosmetics… when you’re looking for a nice, smooth, non-stick surface, right? You have dental floss.”

Cleaning products are another common source. “Cleaning products in particular are an increased risk for pets and children,” she said. “Let’s say you spray your counter with a cleaner, it falls on the floor, and pets and children can be on the floor, so they get a heightened exposure when compared to adults.”

What About Turf Fields?

While most PFAS exposure comes from food, water, and consumer goods, synthetic turf fields may also contribute to environmental contamination.

“There is not a turf field constructed today that does not have high levels of PFAS embedded in its materials,” Common Council member Lisa Shanahan said in 2023. She warned that PFAS “[leach] immediately upon installation and the leaching increases as the fields age.”

PFAS have been found in turf’s plastic grass blades, backing materials, and infill. Runoff from these fields may pose risks to nearby waterways.

When asked, as a mother, if she would be concerned about her kids playing on an artificial turf field, Dr. Kathleen Mueller said, “I think I would have to do a lot more research, but I do think that those kids who are playing on the field are probably drinking out of plastic water bottles.”

She emphasized that ingestion remains the primary concern. “Filtering our water and avoiding food packaging… is going to be way more effective in reducing someone’s exposure to PFAS than keeping them off astroturf,” she said.

Final Advice

“If people make one change… the simplest thing we can do to save our money and save our bodies is to bring a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle,” she said.

When asked about whether reusable plastic bottles were better than single-use ones, she replied, “We know that when plastic is new, it leaches more chemicals into the water than when it’s older, although when it’s older, you can get microplastics to actually break off and go into the water. So neither one is great.”

In the end, Mueller stressed the importance of informed, balanced decision-making. “Compared to 10 years ago, I’m much more careful about the clothing that I buy and food packaging than I was then,” she said. “Each step in the right direction can help reduce our risk over the long term.”

What’s Next for Norwalk?

Though funds for the Broad River fields have been included in the capital budget, turf installation is far from a done deal. “That is a vote that will come to the Council later in the year,” Smyth said.

As public pressure grows, the city may have to balance infrastructure needs, public health concerns, and long-term environmental costs — all while navigating a national conversation about how PFAS should be regulated, removed, and replaced.