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Turf presentation

Andrew Cannon
Andrew Cannon

Synthetic turf fields are increasingly popular but have environmental and health risks. While they provide benefits like increased field access and usability in all weather, studies have found synthetic turf can reach dangerously high temperatures and leach toxic chemicals. There is also some evidence that injuries and infections like MRSA may be higher on synthetic turf. Proper maintenance of natural grass fields with improved varieties and drainage systems can provide an alternative with fewer risks while still allowing increased sports participation. When using synthetic fields, precautions around heat exposure and minimizing ingestion or inhalation of turf materials are recommended.

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Synthetic Field Turf Are the benefits worth the environmental and health risks? Joel Forman, MD Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Community and Preventive Medicine Mount Sinai School of Medicine
A special thanks to: Meghan Bullock Maida Galvez, MD, MPH Perry Sheffield, MD, MPH For all their help with data and pictures
In The News
Growth of FieldTurf Installations 500 450 400 350 300 250 FieldTurf (USA only) FieldTurf (Worldwide) 200 From Company Data 150 100 50 0 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Why the move to Synthetic Turf Initial interest by Ford Foundation in 1950s as a means to improve access to playing fields and thus improve fitness 1st Generation AstroTurf (carpet like) - 1960s Moses Brown - Prov, RI Houston Astrodome 2nd Generation Turf (fibers and infill rubber) - 1990s
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 54 person) 1990 1998 2006 No Data <10% 10%14% 15%19% 20%24% 25%29% 30%
AstroTurf - The Original
Modern Synthetic Turf Design http://www.soccerworldsystems.com/Products.asp
Infill Rubber Rubber pellets Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber (EPDM) Block copolymers Styrene and Butadiene (TPE-S) Styrene Butadiene rubber (SBR) 1mm diameter Sand mix sometimes New or from recycled tires Variable with different products
Balancing Act Local Heat Effects Field Use Toxic Exposures on Fields Phys. Activity Toxin Exposures disbursed Obesity from Field Water Conservation Environmental Heat effects Carbon Footprint Environmental Toxin Use for Recycled Tires Contamination Cost Savings Habitat Effects Benefits Harms
Potential Benefits of Synthetic Turf Decreased maintenance requirement All weather play Combat Obesity Greater availability No need for pesticides and fertilizers Resource conservation (fossil fuel and water) Lower long term costs Aesthetics Use for recycled tires
Potential Adverse Health Effects Toxic exposures from Excessive Heat crumb rubber pellets: Burns zinc, lead, copper, Dehydration chromium, cadmium, PAHs, phthalates, phenols Injuries Routes of exposure and Increased turf concern: burns Volatilization - potential Infection Risk respiratory or MM irritation Contact Dermal absorption and irritation Hand to Mouth - Ingestion
Evidence of Toxin Release Rutgers - 2006 EHHI (CT - 8/07) NYC samples Demonstated volitalization of PAHs leached from phenols and PAHs at 60 degres synthetic turf rubber celcius pellets at levels 3x Zinc, Selenium, Lead, what is allowed in Cadmium were found in distilled contaminated soil water leachate after 7 weeks Used solvents and Higher amounts when acidified nitric acid water used The lab conditions used may not accurately reflect real world conditions
Health Concerns Exposure to Toxins Turf Burns and MRSA Risk Acute: Respiratory and CDC reported turf burns as a Mucous Membrane risk factor for MRSA infection Irritation in football players (MMWR August Chronic: Cancer and 22, 2003 / 52(33);793-795) Neurotoxicity CDC reports cluster of MRSA infections in LA Rams Pro Excessive Heat football players all associated with turf burns. (NEJM 2005 Dehydration Kazakova et al.) Heat Exhaustion Burns
Injuries 5-year Prospective comparison of injuries on natural grass and FieldTurf. (Meyers et al. 2004; 32; 1626Am. J. Sports Med.) Injury patterns differed: Higher incidences of 0-day time loss injuries, non-contact injuries, surface/epidermal injuries, muscle-related trauma, and injuries during higher temperatures were reported on FieldTurf. Higher incidences of 1- to 2-day time loss injuries, 22+ days time loss injuries, head and neural trauma, and ligament injuries were reported on natural grass.
On Field Temperatures University of Missouri Research - Brad Fresenburg. University of Missouri Ambient temp - 98 degrees Synthetic Turf Surface Temperature - 173 Natural Grass Temperature - 105 Head Level Air Temperature - 138 BYU Field study 2002 - Source: Williams and Pulley, Brigham Young University One of the trainers received blisters through his training shoes Artificial Turf Avg. 117, high of 157 Natural Grass Avg. 78, high of 88.5
Potential Environmental Effects Contribution to urban heat island Leaching of chemicals and metals into water runoff - storm drains vs sewers Dispersal of infill rubber to distant sites Lost habitat for insects and birds
Cost Comparison - NYC Estimates vary widely by source! Difference = $14,714 per soccer field per year Department of Parks & Recreation, Operations, 15 Dec. 2005. Costs were figured in 2004 and vary depending on site. Reproduced from NY4Ps a New Turf War
Costs Not Considered Increased vacuuming or raking for heavily used fields Repairing loose seams or burns Disposal costs Potential environmental cleanup costs Cost variance by type of field (Soccer vs Baseball)
Alternative Natural Grass Systems Natural Grass Systems have evolved Key Features: Selecting the right grass (prevailing weather) Drainage System Perforated pipe system Pea Gravel or Sand Root Zone Mix Grass Seed or Sod Brad Fresenburg. University of Missouri
Improved Grass Varieties Dramatic rise in research on varieties for fields in the 1990s Improved Wear Tolerance Increased shoot density Increased strength of recovery Improved Shade and Heat Tolerance
Great Lawn Renovation www.strathayr.com.au/html/turf/stadia.htm http://www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/great_lawn.jpg
Choices and Balance Compelling need for increased sports field access (Obesity, etc.) Advantages, disadvantages, and health risks of Synthetic Turf are still being evaluated Newer Natural Turf systems may not have been adequately considered in terms of costs and benefits. Decisions should carefully consider the use of fields to be replaced
Tips for safer use of turf fields: Do no use the turf fields on extremely hot days. Be sure to clean and monitor any turf burns obtained while playing. Attempt to remove all pellets from shoes and clothes prior to leaving the fields. At home, shake out your childrens equipment and clothes in the garage or over the garbage. Have your child shower and wash thoroughly after playing on the field.
Thank You Questions?

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Turf presentation

  • 1. Synthetic Field Turf Are the benefits worth the environmental and health risks? Joel Forman, MD Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Community and Preventive Medicine Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  • 2. A special thanks to: Meghan Bullock Maida Galvez, MD, MPH Perry Sheffield, MD, MPH For all their help with data and pictures
  • 4. Growth of FieldTurf Installations 500 450 400 350 300 250 FieldTurf (USA only) FieldTurf (Worldwide) 200 From Company Data 150 100 50 0 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
  • 5. Why the move to Synthetic Turf Initial interest by Ford Foundation in 1950s as a means to improve access to playing fields and thus improve fitness 1st Generation AstroTurf (carpet like) - 1960s Moses Brown - Prov, RI Houston Astrodome 2nd Generation Turf (fibers and infill rubber) - 1990s
  • 6. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 54 person) 1990 1998 2006 No Data <10% 10%14% 15%19% 20%24% 25%29% 30%
  • 7. AstroTurf - The Original
  • 8. Modern Synthetic Turf Design http://www.soccerworldsystems.com/Products.asp
  • 9. Infill Rubber Rubber pellets Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber (EPDM) Block copolymers Styrene and Butadiene (TPE-S) Styrene Butadiene rubber (SBR) 1mm diameter Sand mix sometimes New or from recycled tires Variable with different products
  • 10. Balancing Act Local Heat Effects Field Use Toxic Exposures on Fields Phys. Activity Toxin Exposures disbursed Obesity from Field Water Conservation Environmental Heat effects Carbon Footprint Environmental Toxin Use for Recycled Tires Contamination Cost Savings Habitat Effects Benefits Harms
  • 11. Potential Benefits of Synthetic Turf Decreased maintenance requirement All weather play Combat Obesity Greater availability No need for pesticides and fertilizers Resource conservation (fossil fuel and water) Lower long term costs Aesthetics Use for recycled tires
  • 12. Potential Adverse Health Effects Toxic exposures from Excessive Heat crumb rubber pellets: Burns zinc, lead, copper, Dehydration chromium, cadmium, PAHs, phthalates, phenols Injuries Routes of exposure and Increased turf concern: burns Volatilization - potential Infection Risk respiratory or MM irritation Contact Dermal absorption and irritation Hand to Mouth - Ingestion
  • 13. Evidence of Toxin Release Rutgers - 2006 EHHI (CT - 8/07) NYC samples Demonstated volitalization of PAHs leached from phenols and PAHs at 60 degres synthetic turf rubber celcius pellets at levels 3x Zinc, Selenium, Lead, what is allowed in Cadmium were found in distilled contaminated soil water leachate after 7 weeks Used solvents and Higher amounts when acidified nitric acid water used The lab conditions used may not accurately reflect real world conditions
  • 14. Health Concerns Exposure to Toxins Turf Burns and MRSA Risk Acute: Respiratory and CDC reported turf burns as a Mucous Membrane risk factor for MRSA infection Irritation in football players (MMWR August Chronic: Cancer and 22, 2003 / 52(33);793-795) Neurotoxicity CDC reports cluster of MRSA infections in LA Rams Pro Excessive Heat football players all associated with turf burns. (NEJM 2005 Dehydration Kazakova et al.) Heat Exhaustion Burns
  • 15. Injuries 5-year Prospective comparison of injuries on natural grass and FieldTurf. (Meyers et al. 2004; 32; 1626Am. J. Sports Med.) Injury patterns differed: Higher incidences of 0-day time loss injuries, non-contact injuries, surface/epidermal injuries, muscle-related trauma, and injuries during higher temperatures were reported on FieldTurf. Higher incidences of 1- to 2-day time loss injuries, 22+ days time loss injuries, head and neural trauma, and ligament injuries were reported on natural grass.
  • 16. On Field Temperatures University of Missouri Research - Brad Fresenburg. University of Missouri Ambient temp - 98 degrees Synthetic Turf Surface Temperature - 173 Natural Grass Temperature - 105 Head Level Air Temperature - 138 BYU Field study 2002 - Source: Williams and Pulley, Brigham Young University One of the trainers received blisters through his training shoes Artificial Turf Avg. 117, high of 157 Natural Grass Avg. 78, high of 88.5
  • 17. Potential Environmental Effects Contribution to urban heat island Leaching of chemicals and metals into water runoff - storm drains vs sewers Dispersal of infill rubber to distant sites Lost habitat for insects and birds
  • 18. Cost Comparison - NYC Estimates vary widely by source! Difference = $14,714 per soccer field per year Department of Parks & Recreation, Operations, 15 Dec. 2005. Costs were figured in 2004 and vary depending on site. Reproduced from NY4Ps a New Turf War
  • 19. Costs Not Considered Increased vacuuming or raking for heavily used fields Repairing loose seams or burns Disposal costs Potential environmental cleanup costs Cost variance by type of field (Soccer vs Baseball)
  • 20. Alternative Natural Grass Systems Natural Grass Systems have evolved Key Features: Selecting the right grass (prevailing weather) Drainage System Perforated pipe system Pea Gravel or Sand Root Zone Mix Grass Seed or Sod Brad Fresenburg. University of Missouri
  • 21. Improved Grass Varieties Dramatic rise in research on varieties for fields in the 1990s Improved Wear Tolerance Increased shoot density Increased strength of recovery Improved Shade and Heat Tolerance
  • 23. Choices and Balance Compelling need for increased sports field access (Obesity, etc.) Advantages, disadvantages, and health risks of Synthetic Turf are still being evaluated Newer Natural Turf systems may not have been adequately considered in terms of costs and benefits. Decisions should carefully consider the use of fields to be replaced
  • 24. Tips for safer use of turf fields: Do no use the turf fields on extremely hot days. Be sure to clean and monitor any turf burns obtained while playing. Attempt to remove all pellets from shoes and clothes prior to leaving the fields. At home, shake out your childrens equipment and clothes in the garage or over the garbage. Have your child shower and wash thoroughly after playing on the field.
  • 25. Thank You Questions?