Real Grass vs. Synthetic Turf
Environmental Facts
Health Benefits vs. Drawbacks
Research demonstrates that real grass prevents injuries and enhances our health by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress & muscle tension, and increasing feelings of happiness. As far as we know, real grass doesn't have any detrimental health effects.
Recent research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine shows there were 16% more lower body injuries on synthetic turf than on real grass among elite NFL athletes between 2012 and 2016. If all NFL games played on synthetic turf were played on turfgrass during the study period, 319 fewer lower body injuries would be expected.
It’s toxic — to our athletes and our environment. There are undisclosed mixes of endocrine disruptors, known and probable human carcinogens, lead, PFAS, flame retardants, VOCs, SVOCs, and phthalates. Synturf also releases harmful microplastics into the environment as it breaks down.
Synthetic turf is proven in peer-reviewed studies, published in leading orthopedic journals, to generate double the foot and ankle injuries compared to grass, even on the finest synturf available. Studies show dramatically higher non-contact injuries — from interaction of an athlete and the surface — for both torque (twisting, ankle, ACL, knee) & impact (concussion, joint impact). There are even links between synturf and cancer in some athletes.
Synthetic Turf increases heat.
Real grass decreases heat.
Synthetic turf can get lethally hot, while grass stays near or below ambient temperatures. On average, a synthetic turf field maintains a temperature of 117 degrees whereas a real grass field averages 78 degrees. But, how do they cool a synthetic turf field before a game? By watering it. That's right. Normal irrigation practices, much like the ones you use for a real grass field, are exercised in order to decrease the heat on a synthetic turfgrass field. Why not just use grass?
These high temperatures can lead to detrimental health effects such as heat stroke, muscle cramping, fatigue, and even death.
Cost Comparisons
Safer Fields for All and the Washington turfgrass seed farmers have partnered together to keep our public spaces safe and plastic-free.