‘3G pitches are exposing children and teachers to cancer causing material – they need to be banned’

There are thousands of sports pitches across the country (Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

A leading teachers’ union has called for artificial football pitches to be banned over fears the rubber material in them is causing cancer.

NASUWT said teachers and children are being exposed to harmful chemicals when playing on 3G sports surfaces.

The UK’s other largest teachers’ unions told Metro they are also worried about the health risks and called for further research.