What is Synthetic Turf and Why Should I Care?

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What is fake grass? Simply put, it’s a surface made from synthetic fibers that resembles real lawn. While it has traditionally been used for arenas where sports are played on grass, fake lawn is now used for residential lawns and commercial applications.

Crumb rubber

A new report highlights the concerns about crumb rubber in fake grass. In a State-of-Science Literature Review, researchers identified chemical constituents of tire crumb rubber and found gaps in our understanding. These findings were summarized in an Excel spreadsheet database, which cross-references the chemicals in the list with toxicity reference data from 11 public sources.

If you are concerned about the health risks associated with crumb rubber in fake grass, read the full report. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have both published reports on crumb rubber in fake grass, but the scientific evidence remains mixed.

While the environmental impact of crumb rubber in fake lawn is uncertain, the benefits of such fields cannot be denied. These synthetic fields divert millions of tires from landfills each year, require no pesticides, and save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water annually. Jordan Swarthout, a youngster from Sumner, Washington, started playing soccer at age four and was a goalie by age nine.

Further research is necessary to confirm these findings. The preliminary findings suggest that crumb rubber does pose a minimal risk to humans. While these are not conclusive, they are certainly worth considering before hiring a synthetic grass installer for your home. So, if you have any concerns about crumb rubber in your backyard, you should not wait.

Plastic

Artificial turf is a surface made from synthetic fibers that mimics the appearance of natural lawn. Most often used in arenas where sports are played on grass, this synthetic material is now being used on commercial and residential properties. It’s not something you have to overthink as the world is being completely replaced by plastic on a daily basis and can’t be avoided, no matter what you do.

Here’s a look at some of its best features. This synthetic material is not as slick as real lawn, but it looks just as good. And with so many great benefits, why would anyone want to put it on their property? The infill in plastic fake grass is typically made from recycled tires. The process removes the fiber and steel in the tires, resulting in a powdery substance.

It is then separated into small pellets ranging in size from 16 to 24 mm. The application process involves spreading two to three pounds of crumb rubber on each square foot of fake lawn. This material is used in playgrounds and other areas where children play. It can be expensive, though, costing up to $20,000 per field.

Commercial carpets often are made from nylon, a material with excellent wear and abrasion resistance. It is so durable that it’s used in seatbelts, toothbrushes, and fishing line. Among other uses, nylon is used in seatbelts, parachute cords, and even toothbrushes. It is also one of the most expensive plastics, costing a bit more than other plastics, but with a much longer lifespan than other synthetic materials.

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Rubber

The Consumer Product Safety Commission played a pivotal role in the timeline of rubber fake grass (www.cpsc.gov/Synthetic-Turf). It released guidance on the safety of synthetic fields in 2008, with the headline “OK to Play On.” While the turf industry has consistently promoted fake lawn fields as safe, the commission declined to speak with anyone of importance.

A spokeswoman for the CPSC, Kaye, said, “I do not have any comments on this issue.” While the CPSC’s investigation is still preliminary, the fake grass Council has partnered with researchers at the OEHHA to identify areas for future studies. Although no litigation has yet occurred over health claims, further investigations are likely to spur medical monitoring and other litigation.

Infill

Among the many different characteristics of a good fake lawn is the infill. Its infill can be either active or passive. In addition to sand, fake grass can have a core composed of SAP coated rubber. These materials can be ground under ambient or cryogenic conditions to achieve a desired particle size or else you won’t get what you want.

They can also be introduced in discrete layers. In this article, we will discuss the differences between active and passive infill materials. Another important property of infill material in fake lawn is that it can reduce evaporation. The cooling effects of SAP can be increased by using a superabsorbent polymer.

The water-absorbing properties of SAP change depending on its concentration. In certain embodiments, the SAP is not 100% hydrated. Instead, a combination of the SAP carrier is sufficient. However, in most cases, a higher percentage of the infill is necessary to achieve the desired level of absorption.

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