Artificial turf, usually constructed of polyethylene plastic grass and an in-fill base of "crumb rubber" from ground-up recycled tires (as many as 10,000 in a single field) have become increasingly popular in communities all across the country.

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As more grass fields are converted to synthetic turf (according to a spokesperson for the Synthetic Turf Council in Atlanta about 900 new synthetic turf fields were installed at schools nationwide in ), however, a debate has been heating up about possible health risks and the advantages and disadvantages of artificial turf fields.

The following is a summary of the pros and cons of artificial turf:

Pros

• Lower maintenance costs. While the initial cost (around $600K) is high, proponents claim that upkeep is much less expensive, dropping by some estimates from $35K to $5K per year.  Some question whether artificial turf is as financially friendly as touted, citing the need for repairs, vacuuming, refilling and even watering, suggesting that the fields may not last as long as advertised, and raising the thorny problem of disposal.
• Pesticide-free. Unlike natural grass, artificial turf doesn't require treatment with pesticides and fertilizers (note, however, the success some towns are having with organic grass fields).
• Increased playability.  Artificial turf fields are much more durable than grass; because playability is much higher, they allow broader access; can be played on all the time; in time of scarce fields, they give youth sports organizations practice space they might otherwise not have; the problem of spring and fall rains which result in cancellation of numerous games and practices slated for grass fields is eliminated; one match on a muddy field can ruin the field for the rest of the season.
• Fewer injuries: Durability and an even playing surface mean fewer injuries and  unlike grass that gets torn up by rough play and eventually turns into vast patches of slippery mud (twisted ankles from potholes, uneven playing surface, slips in the mud).
• Saves water. An average grass playing field uses about 50,000 gallons of water per week during the growing season."

Cons

• Heat hazard.  The heat-absorbing properties of an artificial field make it too hot to play on in extremely warm weather. On a 98-degree day, the temperature on the turf could rise to more than 120 degrees. A Brigham Young University study found that the surface temperature of synthetic turf at its football practice field was 37 degrees higher than the air temperature. Proponents point out that use of the fields can be managed to ensure that athletes aren't playing at the hottest times of the day and are adequately hydrated; as a result, they argue, the higher temperature is more of a comfort issue than safety issue.
• Lead. Excessive exposure to lead has been linked to severe mental retardation, stunted growth and death. As Don Mays, senior director of product safety at the Consumer's Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, says, "There is no safe level of lead; let's be clear on that." The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees, saying that there is no safe level of lead exposure and suggesting that levels in soil be no higher than trace amounts (40 parts per million).
  • Older turf fields made from nylon or nylon/polyethylene blend fibers may contain levels of lead that pose a potential public health concern. Tests of artificial turf fields made with only polyethylene fibers showed that these fields contained very low levels of lead. 
  • Field Turf, the largest artificial turf manufacturer in North America, sells a lead-free artificial turf, but only if the community asks for the custom-made field. The fields that most communities purchase use lead to brighten the field's colors and for a sport team logo.
  • Says Jackie Lombardo, a member of the Sierra Club National Toxics Committee, "We know older turf products contain toxic chemicals associated with asthma, learning disabilities, and cancer. Saying they are safe because they don't contain lead is like saying cigarettes are safe because they don't contain lead. There are so many chemicals in this synthetic grass and we don't know what the effects are going to be not only on children's health, but also what the effects are on the ground water as well."
  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has consistently recommended "the elimination of all non-essential uses of lead" because of the potential health hazards they pose and has long considered lead dust one of the biggest known health hazards to children; it notes that the combination of age, weathering, exposure to sunlight and wear and tear can cause dust containing lead to be released from older or well-used fields.
• Zinc hazard: A Connecticut-based environmental advocacy group, Environment and Human Health Inc. (EHHI), has been sounding warnings about artificial turf fields for a number of years and found support for its contentions in a preliminary study in by researchers at the Connecticut agricultural experiment station which examined the contents of "crumb rubber" and concluded that several potentially dangerous chemical compounds could escape into the air or leach into water under certain conditions. Levels of zinc found leaching into water were inordinately high. A study by University of North Carolina found a possible link between continued exposure to zinc and cardiovascular damage.
• Other harmful chemicals: according to EHHI, shredded rubber could contain other toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and selenium.
• Toxic run-off. When an artificial field drains after a heavy rain, the run-off (which may contain lead and infill material) could leach into and contaminate a community's ground and drinking water.
• Increased MRSA risk. Open skin lesions (so-called "turf burns") put athletes at increased risk of MRSA. Studies have shown that athletes who use synthetic turf are seven times more likely to receive turf burns than those who play on natural grass. These open lesions are often the source of contracting and vehicle for spreading dangerous infections. In fact, a study of MRSA infections among St. Louis Rams football players found that all eight MRSA infections began at turf burn sites. 
• Bacterial breeding ground. Medical experts have found that staphylococci and other bacteria can survive on polyethylene plastic, the compound used to make synthetic turf blades, for more than 90 days. Blood, sweat, skin cells and other materials can remain on the synthetic turf because the fields are not washed or cleaned.
• Adverse affect on asthmatics. Breathing in dust of ground-up tires could exacerbate breathing problems for asthmatics.
• Once artificial, always artificial. Once a community goes with artificial turf, it has no choice but to install another artificial turf field when the first one needs to be replaced because once plastic replaces natural grass, it kills any living organism in the subsoil making it impossible without years of soil remediation to grow anything on that surface.

Artificial Turf vs Grass: A Comparative Guide With Pros and Cons

In , the Astrodome, the famous baseball field in Houston, installed artificial turf and it wasn&#;t long until others followed suit.

Even FIFA switched to artificial turf and in , chose artificial pitches for the World Cup. But there is still a war raging in the sport&#;s world: what&#;s better turf vs grass?

To help you, we&#;ve compiled a list of pros and cons for each, so you can decide for yourself.

What is Artificial Turf?

You may wonder &#;what is turf grass?&#;

Artificial turf is a petroleum-based product that is an alternative to natural grass lawns. First, the soil is compacted, before a layer of sand is laid atop the soil so the turf lays flat.

A layer of plastic is then applied before the artificial turf is stapled down. Many people prefer artificial turf because it&#;s maintenance-free and saves water.

Benefits of Artificial Turf 

In the artificial grass vs turf debate, we must consider its benefits.

Eco-Friendly

Artificial lawns are great for the environment. For example, a real grass sports field needs between 500,000 to 1 million gallons of water each year.

But if you switch to an artificial turf one, it works out every square meter of synthetic saves 2,200 gallons each year. It also stops you from using pesticides which is a major cause of water pollution.

And it requires no maintenance, you won&#;t emit noxious gasses into the environment from mowing. Research shows a push motor produces as much pollution in one hour as 11 cars.

Cost-Effective 

Unlike a real grass sports field, artificial turf is a more cost-effective option. For example, artificial grass starts at around $9 per square foot, so if your sporting field is 1,000 square feet, it would only cost around $9,000.

Versatile

Artificial turf lets you maximize land use with the same surface space. This is great for urbanized environments who have limited access to recreational areas or those affected by droughts. 

Great In Every Weather

If you live either in a cold or hot climate, you must work hard to prepare and maintain natural turf.

For example, the natural grass will be in poor condition after long winter months. Because of this, you&#;d have to pay to re-level and provide extra maintenance to return it to normal.

But artificial turf playing fields stay the same all year round and can be used within hours of installation with no problem.

Durable

Natural grass playing fields can&#;t be used over 24 hours a week or around 816 hours per year. This is problematic for teams who want to lengthen their playing hours. 

Improves the Game

Because artificial turf is 100% flat, the pace of the game improves as players don&#;t have to deal with bumps or uneven grass. Further, as the grass is always short, players can make the ball travel faster.

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Disadvantages 

These include:

Runoff

Natural grass lets rainwater seep into the soil whereas artificial turf doesn&#;t because the soil is compacted. Because of this, stormwater runoff can carry debris into storm sewers where water sources become polluted.

Gets Hot

Artificial turf gets hotter than natural grass and can reach temperatures up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, you get a strong rubber smell, and it will be too hot to walk on.

Natural Grass

Before deciding between artificial or natural grass, consider these advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits

Natural grass has many benefits, such as: 

Gives Back to the Eco-System

Natural grass fields give back to the ecosystem. It does this by supplying oxygen, filtering pollution, and absorbing heat.

For example, natural grass improves air quality through purification. The grass breaks down airborne pollutants trapped in the grass, resulting in cleaner air. 

Stormwater Management

Natural grass filters stormwater excess and reduces sediments and pollutants from flowing into water bodies. Also, sodded grass absorbs rainfall six times more effectively than other natural types of fields.

Good Traction

Compared to artificial turf fields, natural grass offers good traction instead of great traction. This means there is less chance of injury when playing. 

Disadvantages

Major downfalls include:

Cost

As mentioned, natural grass is far more expensive because you need to go through a sodding or seeding process. As sodding is pre-grown, it&#;s costlier but far quicker than planting the lawn yourself.

Further, you&#;ll need an irrigation or sprinkler system to maintain the lawn. When you add up the costs of this, alongside installing sod for an entire playing field, it&#;ll be far greater than installing the artificial turf. 

High-Maintenance 

Natural grass lawn maintenance involves mowing, edging, aeration, weed control, and watering.

You also need to be vigilant with aeration and overseeding as it lets the air, water, and nutrients seep into the roots. You must also fill in any bare spots and improve the grass&#;s density. 

Doing maintenance yourself will cut costs. But you still must pay for seeds, fertilizer, weed control, and water which is costly when covering a sport&#;s field.

The Bottom Line of Turf Vs Grass

It&#;s difficult to decide between turf vs grass but you must consider several factors. If you live in a hot climate, it&#;ll be harder to maintain a healthy natural grass field compared to installing the artificial turf.

Also, it&#;s far more cost-effective to install artificial turf as you don&#;t have to maintain it. And most importantly, players and the ball can travel easier across artificial turf as it&#;s smoother.
 
If you&#;re planning to re-vamp your playing field, we&#;d love to chat. Contact us here for more information. 

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