PFAS in Athletic Track Surfaces: Safe Running Environments

When people think about PFAS exposure, cookware and water filters usually come to mind first. Running tracks? Not so much. But the rubber surfaces that athletes train on every day can carry fluorinated compounds, and if your kid is out there running laps in the heat five days a week, that’s worth knowing about.

For more on PFAS-free living, see our guide to PFAS free cutting boards and PFAS free Gore-Tex.

How PFAS End Up in Rubber Track Surfaces

Most modern athletic tracks use a poured-in-place rubber or prefabricated rubber surface made from recycled tires, polyurethane binders, and various chemical additives. PFAS can get into the mix through the polyurethane binders that hold the surface together, through weather-resistant coatings applied on top, or as hitchhikers in the recycled rubber feedstock itself. Crumb rubber infill, the same stuff used in turf fields, has been flagged by the EPA for containing chemical compounds that need more study.

The reason this adds up is that PFAS don’t break down. Whatever you’re exposed to stacks on top of what’s already in your body, which is why researchers talk about a cumulative “body burden.” For young athletes who train on the same surface year after year while they’re still growing, that accumulation matters more.

Why Runners Should Care

Track athletes have a few things working against them. Running on a rubber surface generates friction and heat, which can release compounds from the material. You’re also breathing harder during a workout, pulling in more air per minute than someone walking across the parking lot. And most track practices happen in warm weather, when off-gassing from synthetic surfaces is at its worst.

Kids are the ones to think about here. They train on the same school track for years, and their developing bodies are more sensitive to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. A coach scheduling interval workouts at 2 p.m. in July doesn’t mean any harm, but that’s peak off-gassing time on a hot rubber surface.

What to Look for in PFAS-Free Athletic Track Environments

There’s no consumer label on a running track, so identifying PFAS-free surfaces takes a different approach than shopping for household products:

• Ask your school or facility what type of track surface is installed. Prefabricated rubber systems from manufacturers like Mondo or Beynon often publish material safety data and chemical policies.
• Tracks made from natural latex-based rubber tend to have fewer synthetic additives than those using recycled tire crumb.
• Newer track installations built after 2020 are more likely to use updated formulations with reduced chemical loads, though this varies by manufacturer.
• Check whether the track surface carries any environmental certifications. Some manufacturers now offer products tested for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and restricted substances.

You can’t buy a PFAS-free track, but you can control what goes on your feet to and from it. KEEN is worth knowing about here because the brand has publicly committed to removing PFAS across its entire footwear line, which is rare in the shoe industry. The KEEN Versacore Waterproof Shoe is a trail and everyday walking shoe rather than a dedicated track spike, but if you want water resistance without the fluorinated coatings that usually come with it, KEEN is one of the few brands that delivers it.

Practical Steps to Reduce PFAS Exposure from Athletic Tracks

You can’t swap out a school running track the way you’d replace a nonstick pan, but there are things you can do:

• Train during cooler parts of the day when you have the choice. Early morning or evening sessions mean less off-gassing from the rubber.
• Shower and change clothes soon after track workouts. Don’t sit around in sweaty gear that’s been in contact with the surface.
• Wash running clothes separately from everyday laundry, with a gentle, unscented detergent.
• If the track is visibly degrading, with crumbling rubber and loose granules, consider running on a concrete or asphalt path until it gets resurfaced.
• Bring it up at school board meetings when resurfacing is on the agenda. PFAS-free track surface options exist, but somebody has to ask for them.

For reducing PFAS exposure at home, see our guide to top PFAS free water filters and the PFAS Free Life Database.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my school’s athletic track contains PFAS?

There’s no simple at-home test for track surfaces. Your best option is to contact the school administration or facilities department and ask for the manufacturer name and product specifications of the track surface. Most track manufacturers publish material safety data sheets (MSDS) that list chemical components. You can also ask whether the track was made with recycled crumb rubber, which is more likely to contain a mix of chemical compounds including PFAS.

Are indoor tracks safer than outdoor tracks for PFAS exposure?

Not necessarily. Indoor tracks use similar rubber and polyurethane materials, and the enclosed environment can actually concentrate any off-gassing compounds. However, indoor tracks aren’t subject to UV degradation and extreme heat, which can accelerate chemical release from outdoor surfaces. The key factor is the specific materials used, not whether the track is indoors or outdoors.

What health risks are linked to PFAS exposure from athletic surfaces?

PFAS exposure from consumer products and environmental sources has been associated with elevated cholesterol, immune system disruption, thyroid problems, and increased cancer risk at higher exposure levels. Children and young athletes who train regularly on synthetic surfaces may accumulate more exposure over time. The good news is that reducing exposure through multiple small changes, including the surfaces you train on and the gear you wear, can lower your overall PFAS body burden.

*Research reference: EPA Federal Research on Recycled Tire Crumb

Environmental International 2021*