Keeping it real

SAVE YOUR PARKS

Did you know that....

• Ground rubber tires are used in some artificial fields, yet because of their toxic content they are prohibited from being disposed of in landfills or ocean dumping. Where will this toxic material be disposed when a replacement field becomes necessary?
  
  
• Temperatures on artificial fields have been documented to be upwards of 86.5 degrees hotter than natural grass fields under identical conditions. How long can players of all ages be safely exposed to this level of heat?
  
  
• Field sanitation that includes the removal of bodily fluids and/or animal droppings present a unique problem for artificial fields. Will antiseptic cleaners properly sanitize field? If so, how often?
  
  
• Abrasive surfaces such as artificial fields can result in difficult-to-heal injuries, particularly in the presence of bacterial or viral pathogens. Are you prepared to treat these wounds properly?
  
  
• Field hardness on artificial surfaces can result in serious chronic or immediate athletic injury? If additional ground tire rubber is periodically added to soften the field, is toxicity of the material also renewed?
  
  
• Natural turf is preferred by 88% of NFL players, and 96% believe that artificial turf contributes to injuries.
  
  
• Natural turfgrass saves energy. The front lawns of eight houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. That's amazing when the average home has an air conditioner with just a three or four ton capacity.
  
  
• Green turfgrass significantly lowers fire hazard risk. How would an artificial turf field fire be fought quickly while minimizing the danger to fire fighters, and reducing the release of toxic fumes?
  
  
• The initial price of artificial turf is many times greater than a natural turf area. Maintenance costs are equal or higher.
  
  

Think Green-Keep it Real!

For more information on "the truth" check out:

• Parents Against Toxic Turf
• Turf war: California sues fake-grass makers over lead content
• Suits Filed Over Lead in Artificial Turf
• Water Authority Suspends Artificial Turf Incentive Program Following CDC Health Advisory
• Can Playing on Artificial Turf Kill You?
• Senate Passes Bill to Investigate Safety of Synthetic Turf Fields
• TURF WARS RAGE OVER FAKE GRASS
• Lead Traces Found in Artificial Turf
• Synthetic turf poses health concerns
• Parents Protest
• Protest Targets Artificial Turf
• Parents, kids picket to protest artificial turf
• Parents Plan March Against Artificial Turf
• Tire Waste Athletic Fields Called into Question All Over the World
• Hidden Expenses of Artificial Turf
• Artificial Turf Health Risks Exposed
• San Francsico Parks Poised to Infect
• Serious Questions About New Artificial Turf
• Beard Turf Environmental Benefits
• Experts Spell Out True Costs Of Artificial Turf
• Frank Williams Comparing Artificial Vs. Natural Vs. Others
• Frank Williams--Synthetic Surface Heat Studies
• Is There A "Natural" Trend? Players, Turf Professionals And Architects Comment On The Possibility
• Natural Turf Or Synthetic Turf: The Numbers Game
• Beyond The Hype: NFL Players Prefer Natural Turf Playing Surfaces
• Charting The 2004 NFLPA Players Playing Surfaces Opinion Survey
• TPI Raises Questions About Artificial Turf Safety With The EPA
• Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections On A College Football Team Traced To Body Shaving And Artificial Turf Burns
• Study Compares High School Athlete Injuries On Natural Turf And FieldTurf
• Infill Systems Spark Debate At STMA Conference
• Turf Also Costs Merloni
• WHAT LIES BENEATH: TOXIC TURF UNDER OUR TOES

Download "ARTIFICIAL TURF:
Separating Fact from Fiction"