Is Playing on Artificial Turf Safe?

It is common to see pretend grass installed at sports fields, playgrounds or even residential lawns. While it is close to natural grass in terms of appearance, it is way more durable and easier to maintain. Nevertheless, there is a health safety concern with any manufactured product. Is It Safe to Play on Artificial Turf?

Let’s examine the pros, cons, potential dangers, and how to make playtime safer.

What's Artificial Turf?

Artificial turf is a man-made grass imitation. It consists of polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon fibers. The pretentious grass is placed on top of a sand or crushed stone base. You will often find artificial turf at sports stadiums, playgrounds or commercial properties.

Advantages of Artificial Turf

People often praise artificial turf for it's benefits, especially in sporting, high traffic places. It’s also a great option for hot weather regions.

  • Maintenance free: No need for mowing, watering or even fertilizing, which isn’t the case for natural grass.

  • Weather Resistant: Artificial turf can withhold heavy foot traffic without damage or weather conditions.

  • Surface Stability: Any chance of completely uneven fields is eradicated making the surface more injury safe.

  • All-Weather Use: This can be utilized all throughout the year regardless of the weather, making it perfect for places with frequent rain and dry spells.

  • Environmental Benefits: Artificial turf assists in saving water, lowers the need for using pesticides and herbicides, and reduces additional maintenance chemicals.

Potential Problems of Using Artificial Turf

While there are many benefits that come along with artificial turf, there are some concerns that need to be addressed, especially for children and athletes.

1. Heat Retention

  • Can Get Hot: Compared to natural grass, artificial turf retains heat. During the summer, turf can get very hot and maybe even burn a player.

  • High Temperature: The surface temperature on sunny days can go beyond 150°F (65°C) which makes prolonged contact dangerous.

2. Risk of Injury

  • A Softer but Harder Surface: As previously mentioned, artificial turf is softer than concrete, but harder than grass. While it reduces impact on the player, it increases the chance of sprains, strains, or abrasions.

  • Turf Burns: If players fall on high speed, the turf can grip them due to friction and drag them across the carpet resulting in friction burns.

  • Worsening Joint Pain: Research suggests that turf may elevate stress on joints, increasing the likelihood of developing long-term problems like knee or ankle injuries.

3. Chemical Poisoning

  • Infill Materials: A lot of artificial turfs come with crumb rubber infills that may contain hazardous materials. If the turf is older or poorly maintained, players may be at risk of exposure during play.

  • Concerns Over Health Risks: There is some research that claims there is lead and other plastics in the rubber crumb, however, many installations nowadays use safer infill.

4. Environmental Concerns

  • Non-Biodegradable: Artificial turf's plastic composition means it does not break down naturally after its useful life, contributing to the plastic waste crisis.

  • Difficult to Recycle: The artificial turf industry remains problematic as recycling them is difficult. Then, there is the issue of the waste pile.

  • Microplastics: Artificial turf can gradually shed small plastic fragments which can harm other organisms and contribute to pollution.

How to Different Strategies To Minimize Risks Associated with Artificial Turf

While there are inherent risk factors, proper measures can be taken to ensure safe artificial turf use.

1. Ongoing Maintenance

  • Avoid Contamination: Regular sanitization of the surface helps prevent the accumulation of harmful dirt. Washing the turf with water helps lower surface temperature and cools down the turf.

  • Check the Infill: Make sure that the infill made of rubber or sand has not shifted from its original placement. The infill undergoes a displacement in performance over time due to degradation, outperforming the safety and performance standards of the turf.

2. Avoid Water Build-Up

  • Control Over-Accumulation of Water: Make sure that the drainage can remove and not let water build up on the surface, as the excess surface water can result in an increased slippage hazard.

  • Controllable Infrastructure: Make sure that the drainage design was well thought out to combat dangerous scenarios such as wet and slippery surfaces.

3. Put Restrictions Over Playing Time During Extreme Heat

  • Periodical Risk Assessment: Evade the use of artificial turf during peak suns due to surface temperature. Always make it mandatory for the players to take breaks and hydrate frequently.- Cooling Systems: Some artificial turf fields have added features to help cool the fields. Make sure any available, these features are used for player safety.

4. Use Protective Gear

  • Wear Appropriate Shoes: Make sure that each player has shoes that provide appropriate grip and support. These grip will minimize chances of sustaining injuries such as sprains or abrasions.

  • Use Knee and Elbow Pads: Sometimes, wearing protective clothing can lessen the impact of injury that may result from falling or other forms of rough contact.

5. Select “Softer” Turf Options

  • Non-Toxic Turf: Be on the lookout for turf that is manufactured from non-poisonous materials and has a less dangerous infill. There is less and less manufacturers that produce turf that contain high levels of harmful chemicals.

  • Ask Professionals: When putting in the artificial turf, use professionals who will know what the safest, strongest, and most environmentally friendly options available are.

Conclusion

Turf is comparatively safe for gameplay compared to other surfaces, but there are an array of additional concerns surrounding heat, injuries, and the use of chemicals. With the right upkeep, protective measures, and correct installation procedures, these risks can be mitigated, making turf a safe option for recreation as well as sports. However, it is still important to assess all surfaces and keep monitoring for any unforeseen dangers that may arise.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 10 Benefits of Artificial Grass

Thinking of switching to artificial grass? Here are the top benefits that make it a great choice: 1. Withstands Harsh Weather Unlike real grass, artificial grass stays intact in extreme weather. It won’t dry out in the sun or get waterlogged in heavy rain. Whether it's a hot summer or a rainy monsoon, your lawn remains fresh and green all year round. 2. Long Life Expectancy With proper care and maintenance, artificial grass can last up to 15 years or more. It maintains its fresh and vibrant look without the need for reseeding or regular watering, making it a long-term investment for your outdoor spaces. 3. No Discoloration or Weeds Say goodbye to brown patches, unwanted weeds, and muddy spots. Artificial grass is resistant to discoloration caused by sunlight and extreme weather conditions. It remains consistently lush without requiring the use of harmful weed killers or pesticides. 4. Low Maintenance Costs Maintaining a natural lawn requires regular mowing, fertilizing, watering, a...
Read more

Badminton Court Cost Guide: Plan Your Budget Wisely

Image
Building a badminton court requires careful cost planning, as multiple factors influence the total expense. Key considerations include flooring selection, site preparation, lighting, structure, and whether the facility will be indoor or outdoor. Understanding these factors helps create cost-effective yet high-quality badminton courts. Key Factors Affecting Badminton Court Costs Several elements determine the cost of constructing a badminton court . Here are some critical considerations: 1. Location The cost of construction varies based on location. Factors like land availability, accessibility, and local building regulations significantly impact the budget. 2. Court Size & Dimensions A standard badminton court is 13.4 meters long by 6.1 meters wide for singles and 13.4 meters long by 7.3 meters wide for doubles. Additional space may be required for walkways, seating, and other facilities. 3. Materials Selection The choice of materials affects the budget. Essential components incl...
Read more