Synthetic field temperature testing
Unlike natural grass, synthetic turf fields can become dangerously hot. The plastic carpet may get up to 70 degrees hotter than the surrounding air. Temperatures can typically range from 120-150 degrees on warm sunny days. Excess heat is independent of infill choice, since it is mostly reflecting from the fibers of the synthetic turf carpet.
Heat is an issue regardless of geographic area. Record high temperatures have been measured at 200 degrees in Utah, and 175 degrees in Pennsylvania. A changing climate means unsafe field temperatures will become a more common occurrence.
Heat is an issue regardless of geographic area. Record high temperatures have been measured at 200 degrees in Utah, and 175 degrees in Pennsylvania. A changing climate means unsafe field temperatures will become a more common occurrence.
According to the EPA, impacts of this "heat island" effect include:
- increased energy consumption
- elevated emissions of air pollutants and green house gases
- compromised human health and comfort
- impaired water quality
A FLIR camera is a tool that can be used to measure heat. They are expensive to purchase, but may be rented from a local library in some areas.
Experts recommend regularly monitoring surface temperatures and establishing a safety cutoff for all synthetic fields. Both Brigham Young University and the Burlington, MA school district have established a cutoff of less than 120 degrees.
Fire is also a hazard that may be overlooked, especially when it comes to tire surfacing.
“Spontaneous combustion is possible in tire chips or tire crumbs (used tires that have been broken down by certain types of machinery) because they have a large exposed surface area with plenty of permeability to air flow. In such conditions, rapid oxidation can occur, which may lead to the material spontaneously catching on fire (source: hse.gov.uk).”
Poured in place rubber (PIP), also called bonded rubber, is made from a composite of materials that may include waste tires, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), polyurethane, TPV Granule and aromatic or aliphatic urethane binder. This surfacing can also get extremely hot and contribute to local heat islands.
Water is often used to counteract the heat on playing fields temporarily, and researchers at New Mexico State University have found that in arid and semi-arid regions, water use ends up being similar to that of natural grass, despite the water-saving claims made about artificial surfaces.
How To Test
An infrared thermometer is a widely available and inexpensive tool that anyone can use to document the surface temperature of a synthetic turf field or playground surface.
A community member measures the surface temperature of an artificial field in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, July 2024.
An interactive map of heat island impact and severity is available to reference for individual communities and locations.
References
Evaluation of the Environmental Effects of Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields, Milone & MacBroom, 2008 https://cdn.ymaws.com/syntheticturfcouncil.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/docs/milone_macbroom-leaching,_of.pdf
John Abraham (2019) Heat risks associated with synthetic athletic fields, International Journal of Hyperthermia, 36:1, 515-516, DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2019.1605096
Budd GM. Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT)--its history and its limitations. J Sci Med Sport. 2008 Jan;11(1):20-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2007.07.003. Epub 2007 Aug 31. PMID: 17765661.
John Abraham (2019) Heat risks associated with synthetic athletic fields, International Journal of Hyperthermia, 36:1, 515-516, DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2019.1605096
Budd GM. Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT)--its history and its limitations. J Sci Med Sport. 2008 Jan;11(1):20-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2007.07.003. Epub 2007 Aug 31. PMID: 17765661.
All data gathered from the public record.