#SummerScienceFriday | Artificial Turf vs. Natural Turf
This summer, our CWH intern, Jackson Caudle of Occidental College, researched the costs and benefits of living and artificial turf on athletic fields. Having played football throughout his life, this subject hit close to home. It’s also a timely topic for CWH as we work with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to connect schools and school districts with water-saving incentives, which includes a turf replacement rebate. In this week’s #SummerScienceFriday, we compare the benefits of natural turf over synthetic turf.
Construction of Athletic Fields
For those not too familiar, synthetic turf is a plastic replacement for grass, created using three layers of material. A top and bottom layer made of plastic mimic the feel of grass and hold in the middle layer, which is typically filled with recycled pieces of tires, other plastics, or sand. In order for the synthetic turf to be laid down, construction takes place over a period of several days, where workers build a concrete border around the area where the turf will be laid and drainage areas are installed underneath. This extra construction can be expensive, but because turf fields do not drain water like natural turf, it is necessary (1).
In comparison, natural turf is easier and cheaper to install. The process starts by rototilling the ground where the turf will be laid. This churns the soil and clears off any organic material that will get in the way of the turf. Long strips of grass are then rolled out, covering prepared soil. Finally, the natural turf is watered to help the seeds grow and take root in the ground (1).
Source: Friends of Rahway River Parkway
Cost Comparison
It costs approximately $275,000 to install synthetic turf, whereas the cost for installing natural turf onto an athletic field is around $160,000. While it may seem like a lot less money, natural turf costs more in maintenance and additional labor. Synthetic turf is more expensive to lay down and install, but it requires less intensive maintenance, reducing labor costs. Typical maintenance for synthetic turf can involve raking, sweeping, and patching holes in the turf (2). When labor costs are added, both seem to be about equal and the your decision between the two will most likely depend on the health benefits rather than monetary savings.
Human Health Impacts
Due to our Mediterranean climate, Los Angeles is subject to high temperatures year round. Athletes in hot areas are already at risk of heat stroke and dehydration, making it important to choose turf that reduce these harmful health risk. Natural grasses have cooling mechanisms like evapotranspiration, to lower its ambient temperatures. Synthetic turf does not. On average, artificial fields heat up at least 20°C more than grass, which exacerbate the risk of dehydration and heat stroke for athletes on the field (3). Synthetic turf also increases the risk for the release harmful chemicals from infill. Since common infill is recycled car tires, the chemicals from them can be released into the air and breathed by field users.
In addition, the main health concerns associated with artificial turf are skin problems and lung problems. Chemicals in infill can cause dermatitis (skin irritation) and inhalation of tire chemicals which can be worse for people with asthma. Injuries are also more common on synthetic turf. A study showed that there are higher rates of ACL, PCL, and Meniscal tears on synthetic turf in comparison to natural grass fields (4).
Environmental Impacts
While chemical pollutants have been found in infill, studies have not found a direct correlation between those chemicals in air. However, studies have shown that synthetic turf is toxic to nearby plants and aquatic species. The crumbs and synthetic grass contain many toxic chemicals and plastic. When these contaminates are washed away as runoff, they could be harmful to nearby plant and animal communities as well as nearby water sources that runoff washes into (5).
Choosing Natural Turf
Although natural turf requires more maintenance, its low cost installation evens the overall cost. While it often needs more water for maintenance, synthetic turf is also often watered to keep cool. From this post, we've learned that the main trade-offs have to do with human health and environmental impacts.
Synthetic turf poses more risks for athletes and field users in terms of skin irritation, air pollution, heat stroke, dehydration, and injury. Whereas natural turf is able to perform evapotranspiration, naturally cooling the field and reducing health risks. Synthetic turf is also made of materials like tire rubber and plastic that contain toxic chemicals that can be released with heat. These materials can especially be harmful when it rains or the turf gets watered. These contaminants can be washed away as runoff and negatively impact plant communities, aquatic life, and nearby waterways. In comparison, natural grass turf can better infiltrate water before pollutants gathered can be washed away as runoff.
Converting to Natural Turf
Currently, MWD is offering a program for homeowners who wish to replace their grass to assist in this transition. MWD offers free plants, sprinkler modifications, and stormwater retention features, along with a $3 per square foot rebate upon completion of the project. Click here to learn more about how you can change your lawn to save money! MWD’s Landscape Transformation program is a great incentive for converting smaller patches of living turf with drought tolerant, native plants. Native plants create habitats for local wildlife and make a great accent to the areas surrounding athletic fields and golf courses. Learn more about MWD’s turf incentives at SoCalWaterSmart!
Works Cited
FieldTurf- “Cost analysis.”
Loughran, G. J., Vulpis, C. T., Murphy, J. P., Weiner, D. A., Svoboda, S. J., Hinton, R. Y., & Milzman, D. P. (2019). Incidence of Knee Injuries on Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass in National Collegiate Athletic Association American Football: 2004-2005 Through 2013-2014 Seasons. The American Journal of Sports Medicine,47(6), 1294-1301. doi:10.1177/0363546519833925
A scoping-level field monitoring study of synthetic turf fields and playgrounds. (2009). Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory
Thank you to our #SummerScienceFriday partner!
