By Jeffrey Bresee, PE: sports facility expert & Dallas Branch Manager, CEI engineering Associates, Inc.
Artificial turf playing surfaces cause high surface temperatures when exposed to sunlight causing discomfort for players and coaches. According to Turfmagazine, the us has nearly 20,000 artificial turf fields and an estimated Camiseta Racing Club de Avellaneda 1,500 new fields are built each year. excessive field temperatures on artificial turf are common, causing heat-related illnesses and is a leading cause of sudden death among high school athletes. However, new infill technology can reduce surface temperatures in sports fields in arid parts of the country.

This new technology is able to cool down fields during those hot summer months.
 

 INTRODUCTION

Since the seventies, coaches, players, parents and community members have worried about high temperatures on artificial turf fields. since 1995, 64 football players have died from heat stroke, says the Centers for disease Control. Of these, 47 were in high school, 13 in college, two Camiseta Selección de fútbol de Brasil professionals, and two in organized youth activities. In 90% of these cases, the fatal incidents occurred during practice.

Today, new artificial turf infill cooling technologies can reduce temperatures on artificial turf surfaces making the safety and well-being of players the number one priority. According to Fieldturf.com, infill is the cushioning layer of the turf system which absorbs impact on fall. more infill will lead to better shock absorption. Infills extend the life of the turf, keeps the artificial blades of grass standing upright, holds them down, adds weight and provides adequate pressure. On a national level, school administrators planning to add infills to their artificial turfs must ask the following questions:

What are the different types of infill technology available now?

How much will it cost to get the field cooler?

H how does it perform? Does the ball get bounced and does it provide comfort to players?

How much reduction in temperature will I get for my investment?

PROBLEM STATEMENT

According to several studies, the surface temperatures of artificial turf playing surfaces are higher than natural grass surfaces when exposed to sunlight. Turf can become very hot when exposed to direct sunlight, especially during summer. surface temperatures of traditional artificial turf can go anywhere between 95° F and 140° F higher than natural turfgrass surface temperatures. surface temperatures of artificial turf systems can even go as high as 199.4° F on a day when air temperatures are 98.6° F. people who exercise in extreme heat are more likely to become dehydrated and get heat-related illness.

Data from Penn State’s center for sports surface research shows that the highest surface temperature recorded on an artificial turf surface was 200° F on a 98° F day in Provo, Utah (Williams and Pulley, 2002).

Heat gets transferred from the hot artificial turf surface to the sole of a player’s shoes, causing health issues for players. Researchers have found that heat transfer from the surface to the sole of an athlete’s foot creates physiological stress and serious heat-related health problems.

Different artificial turf infills help reduce surface temperatures in different degrees and but there is no magic pill that reduces temperatures considerably. and here are some common products:

TRADITIONAL INFILLS:

BLACK CRUMP RUBBER

Black crump rubber as an infill makes artificial turfs get very hot when exposed to direct sunlight. Rubber absorbs and radiates heat increasing the temperature above the field and making it hotter than the natural air temperature. In arid places like Las Vegas, an artificial turf using black crump rubber could emit over 150° F when the natural air temperature is 100° F. This product also emits bad odors., spreads Camiseta Selección de fútbol de Portugal dust and doesn’t kill any bacteria.

SILICA SAND

According to artificial Greens, silica sand is derived of quartz that has been eroded by wind and water. As the quartz erodes, it breaks into small granules and this material is used in artificial grass infill. Silica sand is the least expensive of infill material and does not hold the water down, causes breakdown of fibers, has antimicrobial properties and can absorb moisture causing bad odor.

COATED SANDS:

ENVIROFILL

This artificial infill has been in use for over a decade and is an acrylic coated sand product with an anti-microbial coating and provides weight to the system, providing a softer landing. This considered to last longer than other traditional infill products and doesn’t absorb moisture.

TCOOL

TCool is a patented technology, first introduced by global Syn-Turf in 2018. This is specifically designed to prevent turf surfaces from overheating; it’s a pre-coat applied to artificial grass sand infill activated by adding moisture and does not use water. TCool has a special anti-microbial ingredient that eliminates pungent odors.

 HEAT reducing INFILLS:

ZEnull