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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
Despite the fact that third-generation turf has been tested for over 20 years, there are still many myths about artificial turf. Many of the following myths originated in the 1960s, when the first primitive types became popular. Since then, the industry has seen rapid technological advances, backed up with scientific studies on the safety and efficacy of synthetic turf. Here are six of the most persistent myths and the truth behind the claims.
Myth 1: Turf is Only for Sports
Photo credit: aLive Coverage
Truth: Turf is used to replace natural grass in yards, pool areas, rooftop decks, commercial and event spaces, and more.
Most people first heard of artificial turf when professional sports leagues started to adopt the surface in the 1960s and 1970s. However, now that the technology behind the surface is even more advanced, artificial turf is also popular in residential and commercial spaces. More and more homeowners are turning to synthetic turf for an easy-to-maintain lawn that looks good every day of the year. Businesses are using turf in landscaping. Airports have increasingly adopted turf as a safer surface technology for safe-zone areas around runways and taxiways.
Myth 2: Turf is Bad for the Environment
Truth: Artificial grass is non-toxic, uses less water and reduces your carbon footprint.
Turf does not use herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. Unlike traditional grass, turf uses much less water. For example, if a high school installs a 100-yard football field, it could save up to 1 million gallons of water per year just from the reduction in watering. The football field would use up to 20,000 recycled tires for infill, saving the tires from sitting in a landfill. Similarly, switching to a fake grass lawn will save the average homeowner 100,000 gallons of water each year. Synthetic turf also does not need to be mowed, reducing both noxious emissions and grass clippings. The EPA reports that a push mower emits as much pollution in one hour as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars.
Myth 3: Rubber Infill is Not Safe
Truth: Rubber infill, often referred to as “crumb rubber”, is not toxic.
Crumb rubber is made from pulverized tires. When turf with rubber infill was first introduced, it was heavily scrutinized by health researchers. Hundreds of independent studies have verified that rubber infill does not pose a health risk to people or pets. Studies have focused on toxicities from possible ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact, but no links between rubber infill and cancer or disease have been found. For more information about the safety of rubber infill, visit the Synthetic Turf Council’s research page.
Myth 4: Turf Causes More Injuries
Truth: Turf actually reduces the number of impact injuries.
Studies conducted using the new generation of fake grass demonstrate that there is no greater injury risk from playing sports on synthetic surfaces. Studies from Sweden and Norway which followed players over a four to five year period found the injury rate is no greater on artificial turf. Studies conducted by soccer’s governing body, FIFA, also found little difference in the incidence, nature and cause of injuries observed in games played on turf versus games played on natural grass.
Myth 5: All Turf Looks Alike
Truth: Turf comes in many different varieties, and the quality is dependent on the manufacturer.
Artificial turf comes in a variety of styles for location, performance and budget.
Myth 6: Turf is Too Hot to Play On
Truth: Turf temperature is not too warm to play safely on.
Turf temperature is on average higher than natural grass. Watering the fields can lower the temperature by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. While old reports suggested that field temperatures could reach 200 degrees, these reports were faulty. The most recent research on field temperatures suggests that at two feet above the surface, the average temperature differential between artificial grass and natural grass is four degrees. At five feet above the surface, the temperature difference is less than one degree. Act Global’s synthetic grass is engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, giving a playing field a lush green look year-round.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
The first iterations of artificial turf were invented in 1964, and was taken to new heights after it was installed at the Houston Astrodome in 1966. In the early days of the industry, synthetic turf saved facilities money and time. More than 50 years later, artificial turf has evolved exponentially. Not only does it look and feel even more like natural grass than ever before, but health and safety experts have given synthetic sports field turf high marks.
Injury Rates
Sports turf fields are made with materials that are designed with the safety of the athlete in mind. Modern turf is designed to meet high standards for traction, rotation, slip resistant, surface abrasion and stability. This includes taking into account the requirements of major sports leagues and federations around the world.
There have been many studies confirming the safety of synthetic grass for athletes. Three recent long-term studies by research teams in Norway and Sweden compared acute injuries on synthetic turf and natural grass. The studies considered the location, type and severity of injuries sustained by players during a four to five year period. Since players and coaches are most concerned with injuries affecting major joints like knees and ankles, in addition to concussions, the research carefully evaluated strains, tears, fractures and concussion. The research concluded that the risk of playing on synthetic sports turf was no greater than the risk of playing on natural grass.
Soccer’s governing body, FIFA asked its Medical Assessment and Research Centre to examine the incidence and severity of injuries sustained on synthetic sports turf and real grass during two FIFA Under-17 World Championships. After analyzing these two global events, FIFA concluded “The research showed that there was very little difference in the incidence, nature and causes of injuries observed during games played on artificial turf compared with those played on grass.”
A similar study by the NCAA among schools in America compared injury rates between natural and artificial grass found the injury rate was slightly lower on synthetic turf (3.5%) than it was on natural grass (4.4%).
Playing Time
Synthetic turf fields increase playing and practice time since athletes can train daily, without concern about whether. The fields do not degrade in wind, rain or snow, which makes for a more stable playing surface. The fields are also consistent season after season.
Sports field turf managers are able to utilize synthetic fields for 3,000 hours a year without rest, whereas natural fields can only be used for around 20 hours a week, which amounts to 680 hours a year.
Crumb Rubber
Since the early 21st century, may artificial turf surfaces contain crumb rubber, which are tiny black crumbs made from pulverized car tires. When poured between the grass blades, this rubber infill adds bounce and cushioning for athletes, which help prevent serious injuries. According to the Synthetic Turf Council, more than 11,000 synthetic turf sports fields are in use in the U.S, many with crumb rubber. Numerous studies have found no elevated health risks from crumb rubber, meaning there is no evidence that crumb rubber is harmful to athletes.
Suitability for Sports
Sports field turf is suitable for any kind of sport. Many facilities already use sports field turf for putting greens and driving ranges. Baseball and football fields are hardier and more versatile when artificial grass is used. Artificial turf is an alternative for tennis facilities that want to offer players a grass surface without the taxing upkeep of grass court tennis. Many track and field events now take place on a synthetic grass infield. Playgrounds and multi-purpose centers are also using sports turf effectively.
Benefits of Sports Field Turf
- The artificial grass is visually appealing, it looks green all the time.
- It is suitable in all kinds of weather, with no additional maintenance needed.
- It is durable and can last for many years.
- Artificial grass benefits the environment by saving water and reducing the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
Back in 2011 we had the opportunity to work with the United States Air Force Academy to supply a sailplane landing area (SPLA) for the school. About 50% of the cadets within the Air Force Academy begin taking courses in soaring sailplanes and glider jets. This education in aviation and airmanship familiarizes the cadets with important aspects of the Air Force. Act Global’s AvTurf gives these pilots a successful and smooth landing surface.
The synthetic turf strip receives heavy use by the Academy. It is estimated that there are approximately 160 landings per day in the summer and 100 landing per day in the school year. This is about 18,000-19,600 landings on the SPLA each year-meaning well over 100,000 landings since its installation. This 1.3 million square-foot area features 4 landing strips and is well over the size of 23 NFL football fields. The artificial grass allows for cutting-edge visibility of landing markers and prevents premature degradation of the Air Force’s fleet.
Act Global AvTurf is continuing to support the USAFA by providing attentive maintenance tips and work when needed. We are proud to work with an institution that is helping shape well-rounded leaders, defined by their drive, smarts, character and motivation. We hope that our AvTurf system will continue to serve these cadets in their time at the Academy.
For more information on AvTurf.
For more information about the landing area installation.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
Work on Mount Dora Christian Academy’s new football field featuring artificial grass is kicking off.
Mount Dora Christian Academy is a preschool through secondary education school that strives to help students strengthen their religious relationships, build a foundation of moral character, and achieve academic success. Since 1945, the school has work to develop well rounded learners in a positive community with diverse options of extracurricular sports teams, clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Mount Dora focuses on providing students with an abundant amount of resources so that they can excel in all aspects of their education. We’re excited to work with an academy that works hard to give back to the community and values such high moral character.
Act Global is installing a new football field for the academy that will have versatility to allow for practices by the softball and baseball teams as needed. The pitch will feature our BDX 60 with Green Play, a surface that has been engineered with specific components to keep players safe. We wanted to provide the Bulldogs with a surface that will give them the confidence they need to excel on the field, and our Xtreme Turf line will do just that.
Be sure to keep up to date on this project and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Learn more about our Xtreme Turf line.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
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![6 Myths About Synthetic Turf]()
by Shelby Becker
We want to start off by saying how proud of our installation team we are. We are so happy to have a group of dedicated and hardworking individuals as part of the Act Global family.
This week’s Field Feature Friday is another update on our Odessa field! The team is making serious strides and is getting ready to inlay the center field logo. The quality of work we demand of our team is no easy feat, but they are exceeding our expectations. Despite the 100 degree Missouri heat, the crew has been working tirelessly to make sure every part of the field looks pristine for the Bulldogs football team.
Our sales rep for the area, Mark West, let us know that the entire group has become extremely close throughout their time in Odessa. They always go out to lunch together and have become regulars at the local diner. The waitresses have the guys’ orders memorized and have said that “they are the most polite group they have served”.
The field will be finished up next week, and we can’t wait to see the final playing surface for the Bulldogs!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
Truth: Turf comes in many different varieties, and the quality is dependent on the manufacturer.
The first iterations of artificial turf were invented in 1964, and was taken to new heights after it was installed at the Houston Astrodome in 1966. In the early days of the industry, synthetic turf saved facilities money and time. More than 50 years later, artificial turf has evolved exponentially. Not only does it look and feel even more like natural grass than ever before, but health and safety experts have given synthetic sports field turf high marks.
Mount Dora Christian Academy is a preschool through secondary education school that strives to help students strengthen their religious relationships, build a foundation of moral character, and achieve academic success. Since 1945, the school has work to develop well rounded learners in a positive community with diverse options of extracurricular sports teams, clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Mount Dora focuses on providing students with an abundant amount of resources so that they can excel in all aspects of their education. We’re excited to work with an academy that works hard to give back to the community and values such high moral character.