Artificial Surfaces
“Studies have shown a higher incidence of MRSA infection among American football players who play and train
on artificial grass”
comparisons, many artificial turf stakeholders and users fail to take factors such as the introduction of new and improved grass varieties and species into account, and over-calculate maintenance costs as a result. Natural turf costs are also impacted by climatic conditions and the intensity of use - not to mention the skills and resources of the grounds team. Whilst natural turf renews and repairs itself, an artificial surface will deteriorate and depreciate, regardless of how much you spend on maintenance, from the day it’s installed until the day it’s replaced.
Human health benefits
Did you know that studies have shown that the smells, sensations and experiences of being on or near natural grass bring a number of health and wellbeing benefits? It can reduce stress levels and even reduce your heart rate. That’s because grass is alive, vital, fresh; it grows - it makes people feel happy and healthy.
Many players and sports professionals
prefer it. Spectators prefer it precisely because it brings the unpredictability and excitement to a game that a sterile, artificial surface aims to eradicate. Parents often prefer their children to
play on natural surfaces. Grass stains and dirt are all part of ‘the beautiful game’. These may be evocative arguments, but they are true. There are also a number of health and safety concerns surrounding the use of artificial turf. There is evidence that playing on the early-generation artificial surfaces brings a slightly higher risk of injuries, such as turf toe, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, foot lock, turf burn and concussion. The jury is still out on the new-generation pitches in terms of risk of injury. But, studies have shown a higher incidence of MRSA (methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection among American football players who play and train on artificial grass. This is because it is believed the ‘carpet burns’ caused by artificial turf create an entry point into the body for MRSA bacteria. Natural turf, on the other hand, contains an array of beneficial bacteria, which self-sanitise the surface and absorb human bodily fluids like sweat, spit, vomit, blood and urine, etc., as well as animal excreta and algae that could otherwise cause infection. Some manufacturers promote the absence of bacteria in artificial turf as a positive, but how widely and regularly
are pitch sanitation products used and how effective are they? And how healthy are they for both humans and the environment?
Another downside of artificial turf, in terms of human health and player comfort, is it gets far, far hotter than natural turf. A US study, comparing a test venue’s average temperatures between 7.00am and 7.00pm, showed that the artificial surface heated to 47ºC, with a high of 69ºC; compared to natural turf ’s 26ºC, with a high of 32ºC. Whilst irrigation does reduce temperature, it quickly rises again. Even in shade, artificial has a higher surface temperature than natural. This can result in increased fatigue, aggravated skin and fall injuries and - in the extreme - melted footwear, blisters and burns.
Cutting-edge natural turf solutions
Just as the artificial turf sector has sought to resolve issues, such as an increased risk of injury and concerns about sustainability, etc., associated with the early-generation artificial pitches, our industry has worked tirelessly to introduce new and innovative natural turf solutions. Thanks to rigorous and ongoing
... continued over
Natural turf contains beneficial bacteria, which self-sanitise the surface and absorb human bodily fluids like sweat, spit, vomit, blood etc
40 PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011
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