What are Synthetic turf fields made of?
A synthetic turf field is comprised of multiple layers of materials. All fields will have a base layer with drainage, a plastic grass carpet with backing, and infill. Many fields will have a foam shock pad underlayment below the carpet. Shredded waste tires called "crumb rubber" are often used as an infill material. Alternatives to crumb rubber have come on the market in recent years. Some materials are synthetic, like EPDM, others may be made from plant-based or natural materials. All infills, no matter their composition, are always used with a synthetic turf carpet made of plastic.
are synthetic turf fields safe?
Few if any comprehensive exposure studies have been conducted on the safety of artificial turf fields, and none that can definitively answer this question. There's still a lot we don't know about artificial fields. The data we do have to date is cause for concern. Heat, hardness, injury and pollution are some of the documented hazards of synthetic turf fields. Industry will promise that their fields are safe, but independent science has shown a precautionary approach is well warranted.
Do synthetic turf fields require maintenance?
All athletic fields require routine maintenance. Whether a field is natural or synthetic, it will require maintenance that corresponds to the intensity of use. Synthetic fields require regular grooming, disinfection, repair, and testing. They can also require irrigation, weed removal, and management of static electricity.
How often Must synthetic turf fields BE replaced?
A synthetic field may last up to 10-12 years if they are not heavily used, but many fields will need to be replaced sooner due to things like flattened blades and high Gmax. An eight year warranty is the industry standard.
can synthetic turf be recycled?
Despite claims by manufacturers and consultants, there are currently no operational recycling plants in the United States that can handle synthetic turf fields. The plastic carpets are made of a complex mixture of chemicals to make them durable, which complicates recycling. Even if fields were to be recycled, this is just "kicking the can down the road." Ultimately - whether recycled or not - all plastic fields will eventually end up in a landfill under the best-case scenario. The only long-term answer to plastic pollution is to stop manufacturing plastic items that are not essential.
Do synthetic turf fields shed microplastics?
Yes, all synthetic turf fields shed pieces of plastic from the carpet, or from the synthetic infill materials. The synthetic turf industry is well aware of this problem.
Does synthetic turf contain PFAS?
All samples independently tested have found PFAS in artificial field components. Industry representatives have told legislators they need time to find alternatives to the PFAS polymer processing aids commonly used in manufacturing. All synthetic turf samples tested to date have shown either individual PFAS or elevated fluorine levels, which is a surrogate for PFAS. Industry should be able to provide samples that test below 1ppm total organic fluorine to prove their products are PFAS-free.
Are pesticides used on synthetic turf?
Yes. Pesticides are defined as any substance "intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest." Specific disinfectants and herbicides are recommended in synthetic turf maintenance manuals. These pesticide products will have EPA registration numbers on their labels.
HOW HOT CAN SYNTHETIC TURF GET?
Synthetic turf can get around 30-70° hotter (or more) than the surrounding air. Record high temperatures have been measured of 200 degrees in Utah, and 175 degrees in Pennsylvania. The synthetic turf carpet reflects heat. This is known as the "heat island effect." Synthetic turf fields get hotter than asphalt. Watering fields will only cool them for a short time, and because the heat comes from the carpet itself, switching to different infill will not make a substantial difference.
CAN A NATURAL INFILL MAKE THE FIELD SAFE?
Switching to a natural infill may reduce the amount of chemicals that athletes are exposed to in the infill itself, but since many of the hazards come from the carpet, switching to an alternative infill alone cannot make a synthetic turf field safe. These infills have also not been adequately tested for safety, and the industry has not provided information about any additives that may be used to manufacture them. Using a plant-based infill may also create a different hazard, since research shows that natural infill materials are more prone to colonize harmful bacteria like MRSA.
Sports Turf Alternatives Assessment: CHEMICALS IN ARTIFICIAL TURF INFILL: OVERVIEW
Bass, Jason J., and David W. Hintze. "Determination of Microbial Populations in a Synthetic Turf System." Skyline-The Big Sky Undergraduate Journal 1.1 (2013): 1. – Open access journal
Keller, Marcus. "The fate of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in a synthetic field turf system." (2013).
Sports Turf Alternatives Assessment: CHEMICALS IN ARTIFICIAL TURF INFILL: OVERVIEW
Bass, Jason J., and David W. Hintze. "Determination of Microbial Populations in a Synthetic Turf System." Skyline-The Big Sky Undergraduate Journal 1.1 (2013): 1. – Open access journal
Keller, Marcus. "The fate of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in a synthetic field turf system." (2013).
CAN GRASS FIELDS SUPPORT HIGH INTENSITY SPORTS?
Yes. With proper construction and maintenance, grass fields can accommodate a full season of games, practices and recreation. Natural grass fields have been documented in case studies to get over 1,800 hours of use.
IS A NATURAL GRASS FIELD COST-EFFECTIVE?
Yes, a natural grass field, especially when maintained with organic practices, is the most cost effective long-term option over the full life cycle of a field. In order to make a fair comparison, one must account for installation, maintenance, disposal and replacement of an artificial field when looking at the same time period cost for installation and maintenance of a natural grass field.
IS IT HARDER TO MAINTAIN A GRASS SPORTS FIELD ORGANICALLY?
No. Managing any high intensity athletic field is challenging. It takes skill and knowledge of soil health and cultural practices to maintain a natural turf field with organic methods. This will necessitate changing how to think about maintenance since it may be a different approach than one is used to, but the results are worth the efforts. Training on organic turf management is available for communities and expert consultants can be enlisted to help.