synthetic turf sports fields

Synthetic Turf

SFMA aims to provide you with unbiased information and research to help you make an informed decision about synthetic turf sports fields.

A Guide to Synthetic and Natural Turfgrass for Sports Fields – Selection, Construction and Maintenance Considerations

SAFE Video - Playing Surface Inspection: Synthetic Turf Fields

Research

Synthetic Turf Research – Penn State University
Evaluation of Playing Surface Characteristics of Various In-filled Systems – Penn State University
EPA and CDC/ASTDR have released the Final Report, Part 1 – Tire Crumb Characterization of Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Research Under the Federal Research Action Plan. The report presents findings from the tire crumb rubber characterization research activities conducted by the two agencies. The report includes FRAP introductory information, summary of research activities, key findings, and next steps. Access Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization Volume 1 here. Access Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization Appendices Volume 2 here. Access the EPA’s website here.
The Synthetic Turf Scientific Advisory Panel is a group of expert scientists convened by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to provide scientific advice on its Synthetic Turf Study. The goal of the study is to assess the potential health impacts associated with the use of synthetic turf and playground mats made of crumb rubber. The panel has held three previous meetings to advise OEHHA on study plans, data interpretation, and reporting of study results. The fourth Synthetic Turf Scientific Advisory Panel Meeting (SAP) presentations, video, transcript, and public comments have been compiled and are now available HERE.

Surface Hardness Research

How to Measure and Manage Surface Hardness on Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields – Penn State University
Gmax round-robin testing at Penn State – A comparison of the Clegg Impact Tester, F355, and F1292 devices – Penn State University
Understanding Gmax – Penn State University

Surface Temperature Research

Synthetic Turf Surface Temperature – Penn State University
Surface Temperature of Synthetic Turf – Penn State University
The Effect of Irrigation on Synthetic Turf – Surface Temperature, Soccer Ball Roll, Traction – Progress Report – Penn State University
Synthetic Turf Heat Evaluation – Penn State University
Temperature amelioration of synthetic turf surfaces through irrigation – Penn State University
Synthetic turf temperatures – Penn State University
Understanding how the components of a synthetic turf system contribute to increased surface temperature – Science Direct Journal
Models for predicting surface temperatures on synthetic turf playing surfaces – Science Direct Journal
Modeling the thermal effects of artificial turf on the urban environment – Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
An assessment of chemicals leaching, releases to air, and temperature of crumb rubber infilled synthetic turf fields – NY Department of Environmental Conservation
Synthetic surface heat studies – Brigham Young University

Injury Research

Synthetic Turf Injury Studies – Penn State University
Sports Turf Injury Research – Penn State University
Risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in athletes on synthetic playing surfaces – American Journal of Sports Medicine
Synthetic playing surfaces and athlete health – Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
A review of synthetic playing surfaces, the shoe-surface interface, and lower extremity injuries in athletes – The Physician and Sportsmedicine
A review of football injuries on third and fourth generation artificial turfs compared with natural turf – Sports Medicine
The effect of playing surface on injury rate: a review of the current literature – Sports Medicine
Playing field issues in sports medicine – Current Sports Medicine Reports
Football Studies – Compiled by Penn State University
Soccer Studies – Compiled by Penn State University
Rugby Studies – Compiled by Penn State University

Health and Environmental Impact Research

Synthetic Turf Health and Environmental Impacts – Penn State University
Evaluation of the efficacy of Ultraviolet-C light to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus from infilled synthetic turf surfaces – Penn State University
Human health issues on synthetic turf in the USA – Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
Survival of Staphylococcus aureus on synthetic turf – Penn State University
Synthetic Turf and Staph Infections – Cause for Concern? – Penn State University
A Survey for the Presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the Infill Media of Synthetic Turf – Penn State University
Leaching of DOC, DN, and inorganic constituents from scrap tires – Chemosphere
Environmental and health impacts of artificial turf: a review – Environmental Science & Technology
New approach to the ecotoxicological risk assessment of artificial outdoor sporting grounds – Environmental Pollution
Bioaccessibility and risk exposure to metals and SVOCs in artificial turf field fill materials and fibers – Risk Analysis
Artificial turf football fields: environmental and mutagenicity assessment – Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Environmental-sanitary risk analysis procedure applied to artificial turf sports fields – Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
Zinc leaching from tire crumb rubber – Environmental Science & Technology
Health risk assessment of lead ingestion exposure by particle sizes in crumb rubber on artificial turf considering bioavailability – Environmental Health and Toxicology
Additional scientific journal articles – Compiled by Penn State University
CPSC staff analysis and assessment of synthetic turf “grass blades” – U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission
A scoping-level field monitoring study of synthetic turf fields and playgrounds – US EPA
State-by-state and International studies – Compiled by Penn State University

Resources:

Comparison between synthetic turf and natural grass sports fields:

Construction costs
Maintenance costs
Surface temperature
Field hardness

Visit this page for a more detailed comparison.

Comparison between synthetic turf and natural grass sports fields:

Construction costs
Maintenance costs
Resurfacing costs
Field hardness

Visit this page for a more detailed comparison.

SFMA Bulletins

Additional Resources

Synthetic Turf: Research Answers to Common Questions – Penn State University
Synthetic Turf: Is adding a synthetic field the answer? – Cornell University
Natural Grass and Artificial Turf: Separating Myths a nd Facts – Turfgrass Resource Center
Synthetic Turf Care on Baseball and Softball Fields – AstroTurf

Websites