Several factors may cause this:
- The backing is too thin, commonly use just one layer of pp fabric.
- The quality of artificial turf coating material is not so good, or use too much coating materials.
- The base is not flat and smooth which will hurt the backing of artificial turf.
- The drainage system is not so good and the backing soaks in the water for a long time.
What are the dangers of installing artificial turf?
- Heat hazard . ...
- Lead. ...
- Zinc hazard: A Connecticut-based environmental advocacy group, Environment and Human Health Inc. ...
- Other harmful chemicals: according to EHHI, shredded rubber could contain other toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and selenium.
- Toxic run-off. ...
- Increased MRSA risk. ...
- Bacterial breeding ground. ...
- Adverse affect on asthmatics. ...
How much is artificial turf for a football field?
Turf Football Field Cost in Total. In aggregate, a synthetic turf field of average quality for a 80,000 square foot football field will cost approximately $720,000 to establish a drainage basin, procure the materials needed and install the actual turf field itself. The annual maintenance cost is approximately $5,000.
What NFL teams play on artificial turf?
Which NFL Stadiums Have Artificial Turf:
- AT&T Stadium Dallas Cowboys
- CenturyLink Field Seattle Seahawks
- Edward Jones Dome St. Louis Rams
- Ford Field Detroit Lions
- Georgia Dome Atlanta Falcons
- Gillette Stadium New England Patriots
- Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis Colts
- M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore Ravens
- Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans Saints
- MetLife Stadium New York Giants New York Jets
Do artificial turf fields cause health issues?
Unfortunately, a variety of health concerns have been linked to these products. Also, artificial turf is often treated with biocides, as turf has been associated with increased risk of infections from methicillin-resistan t Staphylococcus aureus . MRSA is a dangerous infection because it is resistant to many antibiotics.
What is the problem with synthetic turf?
Artificial grass holds a lot more heat than natural grass. Because of this, and because it doesn't have a cooling effect like real grass does, the air around artificial grass can feel hotter. Not only this, but when you are walking bare foot on artificial grass, it will feel hot to the touch!
What are three disadvantages of artificial turf?
ConsOdor build-up. Like natural grass, if you don't clean up messes on artificial turf, they will fester. Certain types of infill are prone to holding odors, too.Toxic run-off concerns. People used to be concerned that water run-off from crumb rubber infill might be harmful to families, pets, or the environment.
Does artificial turf cause more injuries in football?
STUDY DETAILS Breaking it down, injuries in upper and lower extremities and torso occurred more frequently on artificial turf than on natural grass. When analyzing by sport, researchers found that football, men's lacrosse, rugby, and girls and boys soccer had higher rates of injury than other sports.
How long does artificial football turf last?
8-10 yearsAfter their life expectancy of 8-10 years, artificial turf fields do require to be replaced to ensure proper performance and safety.
What is the downside of turf?
It is hailed for its water-saving benefits, but artificial turf has its own environmental drawbacks. It is a petroleum-based product that creates pollution and waste in the manufacturing process. And, while it is often made partially with recycled materials, it is not biodegradable.
What are the pros and cons of artificial turf?
To Help You Decide On Your LawnProsConsNearly maintenance freeHigh installation costAlmost pest freeHigh cost to replaceNo watering, mowing, or lawn maintenanceCan absorb heat in high summer temperatures2 more rows•Oct 22, 2019
Why are turf fields bad?
Because it is laid over either concrete or compacted earth, artificial turf is a harder surface than grass. This can increase the risk of injuries, particularly concussions. The unit used to describe hardness is Gmax.
Why is turf worse for injuries?
For surfaces with high coefficients of friction (e.g. old AstroTurf™) this requires a large amount of force. It is these surfaces on which players say their foot gets “caught in the turf.” Studies have shown that there is a higher incidence of ACL injuries with surfaces that have a higher coefficient of friction.
Is it better to play football on turf or grass?
Specifically, players have a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf. Of those non-contact injuries, players have a 32% higher rate of non-contact knee injuries on turf and a staggering 69% higher rate of non-contact foot/ankle injuries on turf compared to grass.
How do you maintain a turf field?
THERE ARE 4 BASIC MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS THAT ALL FIELDTURF FIELDS REQUIRE ACCORDING TO OUR RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. WE SIMPLY CALL IT BARS BRUSHING, AERATING, RAKING AND SWEEPING. Rotating tines are designed to penetrate and loosen the infill to avoid minor compaction.
How Often Should artificial grass be replaced?
between 10 to 15 yearsHow Long Does Synthetic Turf Last? Although no certified manufacturer guarantees synthetic grass to last more than eight years, high quality artificial turf can last between 10 to 15 years, depending on the wear and tear. Once your landscape needs a replacement, your turf can be disposed at any landfill.
How do you maintain artificial grass?
How to Clean Artificial GrassRegularly Remove Leaves and Debris. ... Step One: Regularly Remove Leaves and Debris. ... Step Two: Apply Weed Killer. ... Step Three: Brushing. ... Step Four: Remove Pet Waste. ... Step Five: Avoid Mirrors and Other Reflective Surfaces. ... Step Six: Avoid Using BBQ's and Other heat Sources Directly On The Lawn.
What is artificial turf made of?
Artificial turf fields are largely made of scrap tires and synthetic fibers and are designed to look like natural grass. They’ve been revamped from the AstroTurf in the 1960s, which was largely made of fibers and sand, into the synthetic turf today that’s made of recycled rubber, fibers and sand.
Where is artificial turf being stored?
Discarded artificial turf is being stored near the intersection of Loucks Road and Route 30 in York County. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record. For example, in Pennsylvania: “There are no waste regulations specific to turf, but the used turf would be considered waste, and should be managed as such.
Where is the turf war in York County?
An inside look at the turf war. Dozens of artificial turf bundles sit just off the intersection of Route 30 and Loucks Mill Road in York County, Tuesday September 24, 2019. Artificial turf fields are largely made of scrap tires and synthetic fibers and are designed to look like natural grass.
How long do synthetic turf fields last?
Most of those fields carry an eight-year warranty, which is standard across the industry. But the turf council’s top lobbyist says they can last 10 to 12 years.
Where is the turf field in Pennsylvania?
Turf from a field in southcentral Pennsylvania sits in this heap at the intersection of Loucks Mill Road and Route 30 in York County, Pennsylvania. Tuesday, September 24, 2019. Cameron Clark, York Daily Record.
Where is the divvied up turf?
The divvied up turf is now at a community garden in York City, indoor Xtreme Archery in Springettsbury Township , local soccer organizations, a Maryland lacrosse team, batting cages and private lawns for weddings. He’s also sent some of the rubber to a private home to be placed under a water slide.
Is it cost effective to send turf to landfill?
But sending turf to a landfill is not cost effective or an industry best practice. Turf is already piling up on the sides of roads and being stored on private properties because there’s only one recycling facility in the world that can fully separate the parts for reuse, and that facility is in Denmark.
Why is synthetic turf used in football?
Safety of players on synthetic turf. Synthetic football surfaces have been designed to improve the safety of players and cut down injuries that keep you off the turf. The even surface maintains its integrity, and without ruts and bumps, you’re not going to take so many tumbles and stumbles.
What are the benefits of installing a football surface?
Football clubs, schools, and councils with a tight budget will appreciate the benefits of installing a modern, technical football surface: low maintenance, durable, dependable, environmentally sound and good looking too.
What is natural grass pitch?
Natural grass football pitches: what we love about them. Professional players generally argue the merits of natural grass football pitches over synthetic turf in terms of performance characteristics: ball roll, bounce, and player experience. The natural surfacing is, of course, the traditional specification for pitches used in competitive football ...
What is natural surfacing?
The natural surfacing is, of course, the traditional specification for pitches used in competitive football leagues. We’ve even heard that some supporters of natural grass pitches say that the synthetic grass football turfs cause more injuries to players and can hold potentially dangerous bacteria within the artificial fibres.
Why do you need shock pads on a turf?
Shock pads can installed beneath the turf surface to reduce impact injuries and long-term damage to joints , good news for players who play for fun and fitness into (and beyond) middle age.
Is 3G grass good for football?
Although some players prefer the performance characteristics of natural grass and regard it as the superior surface, many clubs and teams choose to have 3G football pitches installed. Today’s advanced synthetic football surface has been designed to reproduce the playing qualities of natural grass, so the effect on performance should be minimal as long as the pitch surface system is installed and maintained correctly.
Can artificial pitches be irrigated?
If you live with dry conditions, you’ll know all about hard, dusty, dry football surfaces that break up, making play erratic and injuries inevitable. Irrigating is expensive and often just not possible, depending on the availability of water.
Knee Injuries
To investigate the effects of artificial turf on athletes, a large study was conducted to measure the rates of knee injuries in college football players over the course of 10 years. 4 The study looked at the rates of 5 different knee injuries on grass vs. artificial turf across all 3 divisions of NCAA football.
Ankle Injuries
A study that looked at 2,020 young, female soccer players from 109 teams over the course of a season found that ankle injuries were more common on turf than grass. 5 Ankle sprain was the most common injury and occurred at a rate of 1.5 injuries per 1000 hours of play time on turf compared to 0.8 injuries per 1000 hours on natural grass.
Concussions
A nationwide study looked at rates of concussion in both collegiate and high school football players. 7 The study looked at over 17,549 football players over the course of 3 years, 888 of whom reported having at least one concussion.
Heat-Related Illness and Injury
Artificial turf can get extremely hot on sunny days. Researchers took temperatures of the surface of both grass and artificial turf fields and found the turf field got much hotter.
Abrasions
Another common injury that occurs on artificial turf is commonly known as “turf burn.” It is an abrasion injury that occurs from sliding contact with the turf.
Other Factors Affecting Injuries
There are other factors to consider when looking at rates of injury among athletes playing on turf. Turf maintenance can be a contributing factor in injury rates. One aspect of turf maintenance is infill weight. The amount of infill (the rubber pieces or sand that fills the space between the fibers) varies in turf fields.
The Bottom Line
Many studies have examined injury rates on artificial turf versus grass. In many cases, injury rates are greater on turf. Injuries are not the only risks associated with artificial turf. There are also concerns regarding the chemicals that can be found in artificial turf infill.
Lower costs, less maintenance, more games with artificial turf
Artificial turf fields have a higher up-front cost than natural grass, but pays for itself over the life of the field. Artificial fields require a lot less maintenance than natural surfaces: no mowing, no watering, no weeding, no fertilizer and pesticide. That saves a lot of money in equipment, resources like water and fuel, and manpower.
Turf vs. grass: Impact of weather conditions
Even if the field is not in regular use, turf outlasts natural grass. Artificial turf is almost entirely weather-resistant. Grass, being a part of nature, is completely at the mercy of the elements. Unless you’re in the sun belt, the grass will need annual restorative work as winter gives way to spring.
Keep the field green: Environmental impact of artificial turf and natural grass fields
While we’re talking about the elements, there’s also the environmental pros and cons of artificial surfaces.
What to tell players and coaches about artificial turf fields
First, their opinions may be a bit out of date. Turf, like any other product or technology, is always being improved. The turf fields you’re thinking about installing probably are nothing like the turf fields that the coaching staff has such a low opinion of.
Why are there fewer schools using turf?
Despite the protective benefits of natural grass fields, fewer schools use them because of the extra maintenance required and lack of flexibility. For example, if it rains on a Wednesday, students may have to stay off the field to prevent damage before a Friday night football game.
Which sports have the highest rate of injury?
When analyzing by sport, researchers found that football, men's lacrosse, rugby, and girls and boys soccer had higher rates of injury than other sports. Although no statistically significant difference was found in level of play, there was a higher level of competition injury compared with injuries sustained in practice.
Is artificial turf good for a field?
Artificial turf is easier to maintain, doesn't require water or fertilizer and can accommodate a variety of activities. With artificial turf, students can practice on the field in almost any weather without damaging the ground. Also, artificial turf doesn't freeze in the winter or thin out in the summer.