Maret’s plan for the ECC field to strip away grass and topsoil to install 3.7 acres of plastic turf would have serious health and environmental consequences for the neighborhood. Here’s what you need to know about artificial turf.
Artificial turf creates a lot of waste.
- The average artificial turf field contains approximately 40,000 lbs. of plastic carpet.
- Plus 400,000 pounds of infill. Infill is typically made from recycled tires, which can be toxic, along with sand, plastics and other materials.
- Artificial turf fields have a lifespan of 8-10 years. Then they must be replaced.
- Used turf goes to landfills, or is dumped in the countryside. It cannot be recycled. Separating the plastic grass and backing from the sand and infill isn’t fully developed in the United States, or anywhere in the world.
And it’s unhealthy.
- Athletes were 58% more likely to sustain an injury on artificial turf. Football, soccer and rugby athletes were at a significantly greater injury risk on artificial turf. Upper and lower extremity and torso injuries also occurred with higher incidence on artificial turf, according to a study in published in 2021 the Journal Current Orthopaedic Practice, cited below.
- Plastic dust and particles from the artificial grass and infill materials invade the surrounding environment, creating micro-plastic pollution in the water, soil and air.
- The plastic in artificial turf can be 85º hotter than natural turf. When the temperature of a surface reaches 122º F it takes less than 10 minutes of exposure to cause skin injury.
- The superheating of the material contributes to the heat island effect, significantly raising the temperature of the local microclimate on hot days and contributing to increased health risk during hot weather events.
Plus, it creates and contributes to stormwater runoff and other environmental problems
- Artificial turf systems, designed with subsurface drain pipe systems, can increase stormwater run-off, contributing to water quality concerns and increasing flooding risks after heavy rainfall.
- With large areas of natural grass removed, the “carbon sink” effect of natural turf, which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, is lost.
- Ironically, this is proposed at a time when DC is committed to Sustainable DC, a plan to make the city "the healthiest, greenest, most livable city for all District residents"
Artificial Turf Resources:
The New York Times Wirecutter's article includes an extensive list of the environmental impacts of synthetic turf along with this revelation: "The NFL Players Association made news in September 2020 when its president, citing years of higher rates of injury on synthetic versus natural grass, advocated for the NFL to switch from synthetic to natural grass on all playing and practice fields."
And this thought-provoking vision of using plastic turf vs natural grass: "You could see one of two possible outcomes around the year 2031: either a showstopping array of mature native plantings and a thriving ecosystem, or a worn-out and degraded scrap of fake turf ready to be ripped out and trucked to a landfill, which would expose that same old dead patch of earth, suddenly in serious need of a new investment." Why We Don't Recommend Artificial Grass for Most People.
Injury incidence is higher on artificial turf compared with natural grass in high school athletes; a retrospective cohort study. Current Orthopaedic Practice: July/August 2021 - Volume 32 - Issue 4 - p. 355-360
A comprehensive study conducted by the city of Toronto, CA, found a lot of reasons to avoid plastic turf. Health Impact Assessment on the use of Artificial Turf in Toronto.
A compilation of research and scientific studies on artificial turf from Penn State.
The Dangerous Pileup of Artificial Turf, The Atlantic
High Temps On Turf Fields Spark Safety Concerns
Heat Island Effect of Artificial Turf
Synthetic Surface Heat Studies Brigham Young University
