ASTM F3496-20

Standard Specification for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Content in Synthetic Turf Infill

SCOPE
1.1 This specification applies to the maximum content of eight PAHs (PAH8) in materials used as synthetic turf infill.  
1.2 This specification outlines a test method for sample preparation and the method for analyzing the content of the eight PAHs in synthetic turf infill.  
1.3 This specification provides guidelines for reporting the content of the eight PAHs in the synthetic turf infill.  
1.4 This specification is applicable to any infill material used in synthetic turf.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units are included in this standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2020
• ICS: 97.220.10 - Sports facilities
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.65 - Artificial Turf Surfaces and Systems

Overview

ASTM F3496-20: Standard Specification for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Content in Synthetic Turf Infill sets clear requirements for the maximum allowable content of eight key polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH8) in materials used as infill in synthetic turf systems. Ensuring low levels of these potentially hazardous compounds helps protect human health, the environment, and supports safe use of artificial turf in sport and recreational settings.

This internationally recognized standard covers testing procedures, reporting requirements, and threshold limits for PAH content. It is relevant to manufacturers, testing laboratories, field owners, and facility managers looking to comply with safety guidelines and regulations regarding synthetic turf infill materials.

Key Topics

• Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): A group of organic compounds composed of multiple aromatic rings. Several are known or suspected carcinogens and are persistent in the environment.
• PAH8: Eight specific PAHs restricted under European and global regulations, included for their prevalence and toxicity. They are:
  • Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)
  • Benzo[e]pyrene (BeP)
  • Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA)
  • Chrysene (CHR)
  • Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbFA)
  • Benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjFA)
  • Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkFA)
  • Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBAhA)
• Test Methods: The standard specifies sample extraction by acetone-hexane mix and analysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), referencing EPA Methods 3550C and 8270D.
• Reporting: Outlines how results are to be documented, including identification of the infill material, source, sampling date, reporting limit for each PAH, and total PAH8 content.
• Acceptable Limits: The total extractable PAH8 content in synthetic turf infill must be less than 20 mg/kg (ppm), with each individual PAH reporting limit set at or below 0.5 mg/kg.
• Laboratory Accreditation: Testing must be conducted by ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs to ensure reliability and accuracy.

Applications

• Synthetic Turf Fields: Provides baseline safety specifications for all infill materials used in artificial playing surfaces for sports and recreation, including crumb rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, sand, and organic blends.
• Product Certification and Procurement: Assists specifiers, facility owners, and regulatory agencies in evaluating new infill products or batches for compliance with PAH content limits.
• Environmental and Health Risk Management: Helps field managers, community officials, and manufacturers mitigate potential risks to players and users arising from exposure to elevated PAH levels.
• Laboratory Testing Protocols: Standardizes lab procedures for sample preparation and analysis, supporting data comparability across different testing facilities and regions.

Related Standards

• EPA 3550C: Organic Extraction and Sample Preparation - Ultrasonic Extraction method referenced for initial sample handling.
• EPA 8270D: Protocol for analyzing semivolatile organic compounds by GC/MS, the analytical technique mandated for PAH determination.
• REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XVII, Entry 50: The European regulation restricting PAHs, upon which the PAH8 selection is based.
• ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for competence of testing and calibration laboratories, required for institutions performing the analysis.

By complying with ASTM F3496-20, stakeholders ensure that synthetic turf infill materials meet globally recognized safety standards, reduce environmental impact, and foster confidence in the sustainability and safety of artificial turf surfaces.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3496 −20
Standard Specification for
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Content in Synthetic Turf
Infill
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3496; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), n—a group of
hydrocarbons (organic compounds containing only carbon and
1.1 This specification applies to the maximum content of
hydrogen) that are composed of multiple aromatic rings
eight PAHs (PAH8) in materials used as synthetic turf infill.
(organic rings in which the electrons are delocalized).
1.2 This specification outlines a test method for sample
3.1.2 PAH8, n—a group of eight polyaromatic hydrocarbons
preparation and the method for analyzing the content of the
listed as restricted chemicals in Entry 50 to REACH Annex
eight PAHs in synthetic turf infill.
XVII. The polyaromatic hydrocarbons and their CAS numbers
1.3 This specification provides guidelines for reporting the
are:
content of the eight PAHs in the synthetic turf infill.
(a) Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) CAS No 50-32-8
(b) Benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) CAS No 192-97-2
1.4 This specification is applicable to any infill material
(c) Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) CAS No 56-55-3
used in synthetic turf.
(d) Chrysene (CHR) CAS No 218-01-9
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
(e) Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbFA) CAS No 205-99-2
standard. No other units are included in this standard.
(f) Benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjFA) CAS No 205-82-3
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
(g) Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkFA) CAS No 207-08-9
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(h) Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBAhA) CAS No 53-70-3
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3 reporting limit, n—the lowest concentration of a
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
constituent that can be reliably measured with accuracy and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
precision.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.4 total extractable PAH8 content, n—the sum of content
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of each of the individual eight PAHs in mg/kg (ppm).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Summary of Test Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 Polyaromatic hydrocarbons in a synthetic turf infill
sample are extracted using a mixture of acetone and hexane.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 A sample of the extract obtained as described in 4.1 is
2.1 EPA Standards:
analyzed by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
EPA 3550C Organic Extraction and Sample Preparation,
Ultrasonic Extraction
4.3 The extracted PAH8 compounds are quantified and
EPA 8270D Semivolatile Organic Compounds by Gas
reported.
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
4.4 The sum of the eight PAH8 compounds is reported.
3. Terminology
5. Significance and Use
3.1 Definitions:
5.1 PAHs are carbon compounds with two or more aromatic
rings. The International Agency for Research on Cancer
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports
(IARC) and the United States Environmental Protection
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Agency (EPA) have classified some of these compounds as
Subcommittee F08.65 on Artificial Turf Surfaces and Systems.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published January 2021. DOI: 10.1520/
probable human carcinogens
...