Google “turf field safety” and headlines such as, “health concerns,” “turf wars,” and “should parents worry?” will immediately present themselves on your screen. These headlines highlight the controversy surrounding the growing number of turf athletic fields–a controversy that has prompted parents, athletes, and scientists alike to question the safety of turf and its pros and cons.
According to the Synthetic Turf Council (STC), there are currently over 11,000 synthetic turf fields being used by schools, athletic complexes, and general communities in the U.S. As noted by many whose professions specialize in this area, including Tencat, the global leader in synthetic grass manufacturing, and the STC, these fields are beneficial because of their sustainability in all weather conditions, lack of required maintenance, consistency, and traction. The infill of turf fields have changed over time, ranging between recycled tire parts, crumb rubber, TPE, a mix of plastic and rubber pieces, cork, and recycled sneakers.
When asked what the best turf infill option is, Mr. McGhee answers that it is really dependent on what purpose the field would serve. He does note, however, that crumb rubber leads in playability.
In regards to planning and building Stone Ridge’s turf field, the administrative team did extensive research to see what type of turf field would be safest and most beneficial to the school. They took into consideration who would use the field, including the Stone Ridge athletic teams, P.E. classes, and outside teams that would rent it out, such as Bethesda Lacrosse and M.C. Elite. Ultimately an innovative, new technology of infill called CoolPlay was chosen. The top layer of the field is extruded cork composite (ECC) and below it lies a structure similar to that of FieldTurf’s Elite system fields. Mr. McGhee comments that the CoolPlay was a great choice because it was a new, successful technology already used at athletically dominant colleges, including University of Maryland and University of Notre Dame. In addition, the administrative team wanted to choose an infill that was organic and would fulfill Stone Ridge’s focus on environmental awareness and sustainability.
In addition to its assurance of safety and performance, CoolPlay was also chosen for its numerous other benefits. As indicated in its name, CoolPlay’s temperature has been proven to be 35 degrees less than traditional turf, giving athletes an edge in hot weather. The maintenance of this field is also remarkably easier than that of a Bermuda grass or traditional grass field, lessening problems that may potentially stem from field irrigation.
Because cork has replaced the typical crumb rubber topdressing, it has diminished many of the health concerns that have been discussed on a larger scale. In the extensive planning process, Mr. McGhee states that “health and wellness was the number one priority, even second to playability,” which is the main focus for many universities and professional facilities. The cork not only separates the crumb rubber from the surface of the field, but also significantly decreases the amount of rubber being used in the field’s infill system. When asked about any concerns that he and his administrative team had about the safety of crumb rubber, McGhee responds, “We closely monitored all the criticisms and concerns [about crumb rubber]; however there has been extensive testing, and no threats to safety have been proven.”
Many critics of synthetic turf, such as Jackie Lombardo, a member of the Sierra Club National Toxics Committee and the Environment and Human Health Inc. (EHHI), have banded together in an effort to decrease the momentum of the “turf movement” and look into the the small rubber pellets made from recycled tires. The main concern over these turf pellets is their potential danger when in contact with skin or inhaled in the form of emitted gas.
Although the opponents of crumb rubber, which comprises 98% of all turf fields, have suggested these crumb rubber pellets are carcinogenic, the EPA, STC, and FieldTurf association have all ensured that it is safe.
Stone Ridge is staying up-to-date with these turf studies and results, and CoolPlay turf’s benefits calms many potential health concerns. Stone Ridge has successfully accomplished balancing the need for high performance and for safety. The result was an addition to the athletic facility in which the whole community can take pride. As Mr. McGhee explains, “it is a facility that everyone in the Stone Ridge community is touched by and a feature of the campus that makes people say ‘wow.’”
Leave a Reply