The Unforeseen Dangers of Artificial Turf

Truth About Turf 1

The Unforeseen Dangers of Artificial Turf

Michael E. Boisselle

College Composition II

Abstract

The use of artificial turf surfaces in athletic facilities is rapidly becoming more common each year. Many institutions are installing these artificial surfaces to help extend the playing season for various sports regardless of weather. Many environmental dangers as well as health risks associated with the use of artificial turf are often unseen. Studies have been performed linking the harmful toxins released from a common tire infill used with the artificial surface, and provide good reason to believe that the artificial surface is not the best solution. Artificial surfaces easily take a turn from be described as an easy fix to poor field conditions, to a health concern that also effects the environment. With numerous sources the following research pulls together all of these important facts and presents them, to acknowledge individuals of the not so beneficial side of installing artificial turf.
The Unforeseen Dangers of Artificial Turf

It is the team’s home opener game against its rival neighboring school, just before tap off. The clouds open and the rain comes down, but the game goes on. Players are covered with mud, still determined to keep fighting through the weather. The grass is ripped off the surface as the cleats dig into the ground, and the final whistle blows; the home team takes the victory. The next day, the team approaches the field to see that due to the rain, the field has been ruined and cannot be played on for weeks. The start of the season has been put on hold. This raises concerns at a school board meeting, and a proposal is brought up to install artificial turf to help remove the problem that put the season on hold. What are not known however, are the dangers of choosing to install the artificial surface. Regardless, the board goes on to approve the plan to install the artificial turf.

Many high schools and communities are making the transition to these artificial surfaces regardless of the health risks to the athletes and pollutants to the environment that the turf may cause. The demand for artificial turf (also referred to as synthetic turf) has increased substantially over the past years. The demand has risen 18% and expects to continue to rise (Bower, 2005). The advantages to artificial turf are easily outlined, but the dangers sometimes go unnoticed. The costs and health risks accompanied with artificial turf must not go unmentioned. Installation of artificial turf affects the community and environment just as equally as the athletes. The decision to install such artificial turf affects the community as a whole and should not go overlooked.

It was not until the late 1960’s that the use of synthetic grass was introduced to society. The Houston Astrodome was the first facility to use the artificial turf surface in the stadium, and therefore the synthetic grass became known as Astroturf (Fischetti, 2007). The first turf, Astroturf, was a huge advancement in sports, though soon after that problems piled up. Such issues included the hardness of the surface that lead to rise in injuries including an ailment known as “turf toe.” Due to the reported cases of higher injury rates on the surface, a new evolution of turf has taken athletics to a new level. The synthetic turf was called FieldTurf, and was composed of a polyethylene/polypropylene fiber that was stabilized by sand and rubber infill to make the surface more characteristic of natural grass (Meyers & Barnhill, 2004). Sports Turf Managers Association estimates an average cost of $1.4 million dollars for artificial turf, and mentions how it is easy to see why many may think it is a product worth investing in (“Turf Force,” 2006). However the number of risks that accompany the decision can easily contradict any beneficial factor.

Typical turf fields hold more than 450,000 pounds of rubber granules. “A study released in August by Environment and Human Health Inc. found that these particles release at least four toxins, including one carcinogen, at elevated temperatures”(Breen-Portnoy, 2007, p. 2). As an athlete, upon leaving the field after every practice or game, I have to empty the numerous rubber granules out of my shoes and clothing. Even after a shower these granules are still entangled in my hair. It is not uncommon in my home during the winter seasons (when all my games are played on artificial turf indoors), to find a trail of tiny rubber granules tracked through the living room, up the stairs, and ending on the bedroom floor. Never has the thought ever occurred to individuals that encounter the rubber granules, which are once only seen as a nuisance, could be detrimental to an individual’s health.

The number of chemicals found in the rubber granules of artificial turf is astounding:

The report Artificial Turf describes identifying 25 chemical species with 72–99% certainty using mass spectrometry–gas chromatography. Among those definitively confirmed were the irritants benzothiazole and n-hexadecane; butylated hydroxyanisole, a carcinogen and suspected endocrine disruptor; and 4-(t-octyl) phenol, a corrosive that can be injurious to mucous membranes (Claudio, 2008, p. 119).

All of the previous chemicals are found in the material which artificial turf is composed of, making activity on artificial turf a greater risk then intended. The Rubber Manufacturers Association indicates that currently all but 8 states have restrictions on placing tires in landfills. This is greatly due to the prevention of tire fires, which releases toxins such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds. The report, Artificial Turf Pitches: An Assessment of the Health Risks for Football Players, showed that during sport play toxins can be aerosolized and released into the air from the rubber granules and inhaled by athletes (Claudio, 2008). Patti Wood, executive director of the nonprofit Grassroots Environmental Education, argues, “This crumb rubber is a material that cannot be legally disposed of in landfills or ocean-dumped because of its toxicity. Why on earth should we let our children play on it?” (Claudio, 2008, p.118). These toxins that are associated with the rubber granules can cause serious skin and eye irritation. Studies have also shown that the toxins released from the rubber granules may be harmful to the immune and nervous system, with further studies testing the increased risk of asthma (Breen-Portnoy, 2007).

On natural grass field, the grass is usually cut weekly, and often watered daily. Not only are these measures taken to keep the field healthy, but theses tasks also serve as a way to wash and cut away the any bacteria or waste. Artificial turf does not require such frequent care, leaving bacteria and waste imbedded on the surface for long periods of time. Turf is often surfaced with sand as well as the rubber granules to serve as soil, or an absorbent substance for water. An industry study by a turf company found that infill containing sand and rubber granule mixture had 50,000 times the levels of bacteria found in the rubber alone (Claudio, 2008). Another potential risk factor that was observed during testing of artificial surfaces was the amount of heat the surface absorbs. “A study published in the Journal of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, showed surface temperatures as much as 95 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit higher on synthetic turf than natural turf grass when exposed to sunlight” (“Turf Force,” 2006, p. 43). Exposure to surface temperatures that rise above 122 degrees Fahrenheit can cause an increase risk for serious skin injuries. Accompanying the high temperature are the common heat related illnesses. These injuries range from dehydration which leads to heat related muscle cramps, all the way to heat stroke which without immediate medical attention can be fatal (Anderson, Hall, & Martin, 2004).

With the rise of surface temperature of the fields, the simple solution for those hot summer days would be to saturate the fields before games and practices. According to Stuart Gaffin, an associate research scientist at the Center for Climate Systems Research at the University of Columbia, synthetic turf is so efficient at absorbing the heat that saturating the field is only a temporary solution. Stuart Gaffin stated, “After a short while of watering, I expect the temperature should rebound and the surface become intolerably hot again” (Claudio, 2008, p. 121). Not only is the solution only temporary, a study by the Environment and Human Health Inc. found that when such fields are watered, the water carries directly to a sewer system without the filtration that natural vegetation provides. Accompanying the water are 25 different chemicals and 4 metals such as zinc, selenium, lead, and cadmium that can be released from the rubber granules filtering into the water supply (Claudio, 2008). To reiterate the research, there are strict regulations on the disposal of tires due to the chemical that it may release, though turf companies reuse old tires and incorporate the rubber into the surface of the field for friends and family to play on. The chemicals released go beyond those on the field when water washes the chemical into the water system affecting the environment. That being said, it is hard to believe how anyone can see installing the artificial turf as an option after the previous risks are assessed.

The health risks of choosing to make the switch to a synthetic surface do not stop there. The clearer factors, such as the increased risk of injury during play due to the surface, also need to be taken into consideration. Many studies have been conducted to test the theory of higher injury rates on synthetic turf. A study performed at the Centre for Sports Medicine Research and Education, by John Orchard, designed to determine in the field condition effects the increase risk of injury, concluded that there was a 30 to 50% increase of injury risk to lower limbs on synthetic turf as compared to natural grass. The study also brought the hardness of the field into the picture as a factor that causes an increase in the speed of the game on synthetic surfaces. Orchard’s research shows that due to the increased speed of play on synthetic surfaces, muscle fatigue sets in more rapidly, which in turn leads to poor biomechanics thus increasing the risk of injury to the athlete (Orchard, 2002). Another study added that an increase of non contact related injuries were apparent in football players on synthetic turf after a 5 year long study of high school football players. This also was categorized as a consequence of the faster play of the sport (Meyers & Barnhill, 2004). “It has been hypothesized that the consistent elastic surface enhances acceleration, speed, and torque, which leads to overextension and muscle fatigue and hence greater risk of injury”(Ramirez, Schaffer, Shen, Kashani, & Kraus, 2006, p. 1156).

Though many studies show a consistency in an increased risk of injury on synthetic turf, much research also points out that the injuries sustained do not result in the athlete missing substantial time from play. These minor injuries include cuts and abrasions that were thought to have no long-term effect. These minor injuries are usually thought of as a risk associated with any competitive activity. According to a five-year study of competitive football seasons, the results showed that the specific injury with the highest occurrence included superficial abrasions (Shrier, 2005). These abrasions became associated with turf and took the name “turf burn.” Athletes that sustain such turf burns are at a 7 times higher risk of acquiring an infection. In a competitive atmosphere it is common for an athlete to experience these abrasions during play, and continue on for the remainder of the competition. These abrasions are not thought of as serious to athletes and in many situations they continue to play. With the amount of time between the injury and the end of the game, an athlete is prone to forget all about the cut or abrasion and never have it cleaned properly by medical staff. (Begier, Frenette, Barrett, Mshar, Petit, Boxrud, Watkins-Colwell, Wheeler, Cabelinski, Glennen, Nguyen, & Hadler, 2004). Reports, as well as personal experience can show how too often these minor skin abrasions go untreated. Having played soccer all my life, I have noticed a change in atmosphere as I have aged. When I was in first grade it was okay to cry when hurt during a game, it was all right to wear a Band-Aid. But as the years went on and the competitiveness of the game increased, an athlete that leaves a game due to a minor cut or skin abrasion can lead to much unwanted criticism by both teammates and coaches. Not to mention what an athlete may go through if he or she shows up to a collegiate game or practice with Band-Aids on their “boo boos.”

As abrasions are in the picture and continue to go untreated, these cuts can lead to infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA). This is thought to be spread easily among athletes due to the amount of skin-to-skin contact that occurs during play and the sharing of locker space and equipment. Though a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, did not appear to show synthetic turf to harbor MRSA, the significant amount of turf burn and abrasions as well as the synthetic surface increase the probability of infection (Claudio, 2008). The best way to prevent such infections as MRSA is to avoid sustaining abrasions (Begier et al, 2004). Since the abrasions are most associated with the synthetic turf surface, then the best prevention of the infection would be not to conduct athletics on such surfaces.

In spite of the numerous health risks and harmful environmental factors of artificial turf, many people support its installation. Many see artificial turf as a quick fix for problems such as closing the fields due to weather and expanding the amount of space available. Artificial turf also needs less maintenance, leading to savings over time. There is no doubt that the installation process for artificial turf can be completed relatively quickly; there is no time period of waiting for the grass to grow or the roots to take hold in the soil.

The lack of maintenance needed for artificial turf fields can be a common misconception. Many think that artificial turf does not require mowing, watering, fertilizing, or reseeding as natural grass demands, which leads to less maintenance and material costs. In contrast, due to the advancement in technology and great expenses in replacing damaged turf, maintaining the turf field requires an individual to have experience and vast knowledge on the proper care of the surface. The cost of maintaining artificial turf varies based on many factors such as the importance of appearance, as in televised professional events. The annual cost of maintenance on an artificial turf field can range from $5,000 to $25,000 annually; a natural grass field in Colorado, which hosts approximately 110 soccer events annually, cost between $5,500 and $8,000 a year to maintain (“Turf Force,” 2006).

As for the conservation of water by switching to artificial surfaces, that also has substantial evidence against it. Synthetic turf fields absorb heat much more easily than natural grass. A study by the Center for Climate Systems Research showed that synthetic turf fields can get up to 60 degrees hotter on the surface than natural grass fields. During the study, the surface of the synthetic field recorded a temperature of up to 160 degrees on hot summer days. Because of these high temperatures and the health risks that accompany them, fields need to be saturated with water just to cool the surface before any event or practice takes place. In addition to heat control, the International Hockey Federation requires that college teams saturate synthetic fields prior to games and practices to increase the traction of the field. The need for water on synthetic fields has been seen in such a demand that, during a recent drought in the Southeast, Duke University received a business exemption to water the fields, provided that the rest of campus decrease water consumption by 30%. By watering these fields, the toxic rubber granules can be sent directly into the water system affecting both the community and the environment (Claudio, 2008).

Supporters of artificial turf argue that the use of rubber granules as a substitute for soil is good for the environment as well as the community. The advocacy group, New Yorkers for Parks, claims that the use of synthetic fields and removal of natural grass and pollens is good for the community. They claim that without such allergies that go hand in hand with natural grass, it would reduce environmental factors that trigger allergy and asthma (Claudio, 2008). A study released by the Environment and Human Health Inc (EHHI) stated that the rubber particles release at least four toxins and one carcinogen at elevated temperatures into the environment. The team made up of physicians, health professionals, and policy experts concluded that the compounds released by the rubber at high temperatures could cause serious skin and eye irritation and harm to the immune and nervous systems. Nancy Alderman, the president of EHHI, stated that the 4-(t-octyl) phenol corrodes the mucous membrane, which particularly affects people with asthma (Breen-Portnoy, 2007). Contrary to the lower pollen factor, a more reliable study has proven that such toxins released by the rubber granules affect people in more harmful ways than allergies, and specifically those whom have asthma.