SYNTHETIC TURF IS 40-70 DEGREES HOTTER THAN SURROUNDING AIR TEMPERATURES ON WARM SUNNY DAYS

On clear warm days, synthetic turf fields get superheated to temperatures from 120 to 180 degrees F. Playing on synthetic turf can melt shoes, blister hands and feet, and induce dehydration and heatstroke.

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"IT'S SO HOT IN TEXAS, TURF IS MELTING CLEATS"
"IT'S SO HOT IN TEXAS, TURF IS MELTING CLEATS"

USA Today, August 11, 2015

"The team plays on synthetic turf, which can get significantly hotter than natural grass — sometimes a 35-55 degree difference. That would mean Monday, where it was 106 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the field could have been about 141-161 degrees."

"THE ARTIFICIAL TURF AT THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP WAS REPORTEDLY 120 DEGREES AT KICK OFF"
"THE ARTIFICIAL TURF AT THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP WAS REPORTEDLY 120 DEGREES AT KICK OFF"

The Washington Post, June 6, 2015

"Depending on the air temperature, turf can get as hot as 180 degrees."

"HIGH TEMPS ON TURF FIELDS SPARK SAFETY CONCERNS"
"HIGH TEMPS ON TURF FIELDS SPARK SAFETY CONCERNS"

NPR, August 7, 2008

"Since crumb-rubber turf absorbs and retains heat, the NYC Health Department report says heat is the primary health concern associated with playing on the fields. It says people can suffer dehydration, heatstroke and thermal burns at field temperatures above 115 degrees."

ARTIFICIAL TURF TRAPS HEAT, DOESN'T HAVE THE COOLING PROPERTIES OF GRASS
ARTIFICIAL TURF TRAPS HEAT, DOESN'T HAVE THE COOLING PROPERTIES OF GRASS

The New York Times, August 13, 2007

"Scientists at Columbia University who analyzed satellite thermal images of New York City the past two summers concluded that synthetic turf fields were up to 60 degrees hotter than grass fields."

 

slideshow:

SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF SYNTHETIC TURF

 
 

TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL TURF

Credit: Dr. Kevin Mathias, University of Maryland

 
Source: Natural Grass Athletic Fields powerpoint from Sports Turf Managers Association

Source: Natural Grass Athletic Fields powerpoint from Sports Turf Managers Association

Heat Related Illness Risk

Penn State’s Center for Sports Surface Research: Synthetic Turf Heat Evaluation – Progress Report; January 2012
Summary: heat high on plastic as well as waste tire infill - no “magic bullet” to cool off the fields made with these materials.

From Synturf.org "The promoters of artificial turf admit openly that the field runs 10° to 30° F hotter than a natural grass field. That admission alone however does not tell the whole story. Often, 10 or 30 degrees will tip the surface temperature past a dangerous point. Skin injury can result from a ten-minute contact with a surface that runs about 120° F.

According to Joseph Shirley, Director of Facilities at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Newton/Brookline, Massachusetts, the surface is watered down prior to game time in order to cool down the surface. During summer youth camp programs, in a hot day, every 20 minutes the children are taken off the field so that the field can be cooled down."

Heat Injuries By Temperature

Friends don't let friends play on toxic turf!