I have a number of articles describing health problems caused by artificial turf, but different varieties seem to have different problems:  Older products were shown to cause higher rates of staph infections because they tend to abrade the skin barrier.  Of the newer types, some have a high lead or other heavy-metal content. The most common problem with new artificial turf fields seems to be high temperatures [20-30° above ambient temperature] and dangerously high VOC levels due to the crumb rubber base.  

Peter Crownfield
Campus Sustainability Initiative
Alliance for Sustainable Communities-Lehigh Valley
Bethlehem, PA  18015 
<www.sustainlv.org>
 

I don't know of any studies offhand...but I'd caution you not to assume that turfgrass will necessarily reduce water consumption. I was shocked to learn that our Athletics department regularly irrigates our state-of-the-art(ificial) field hockey turf field (Trager Stadium) before use in order to provide an optimal playing surface! Ugh...

Justin Mog, PhD
Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives
University of Louisville

Thank you so much for your help.  I was able to find some information and all signs pointed to it not being a good alternative.  If anyone comes across any reports or information I would love to hear about it. 

Best,

Michelle

 Michelle -  I see that Environment & Human Health has a report on health aspects of  artificial turn, available at <www.ehhi.org/reports/turf>.