When it comes to youth athletics, some middle and high schools take it more seriously than others do. So when the opportunity came to replace grass fields with synthetic turf fields, many schools jumped at it. Others, have chosen not to switch, due in part to the belief that synthetic turf is hazardous to the health and well-being of the kids that use it. So what should you believe?
Synthetic fields have been quickly populating Nassau County, with the promise of decreased injury, extended game time and a fairer competition across the competitive board. But
the field’s core layer, specifically its infill made of “crumb rubber” and recycled tires, has local advocates demanding additional studies on the risk of injuries and health concerns, namely the fear that the rubber itself causes cancer. Field temperature is also a concern, as the fields tend to get warmer in the summer season than grass fields.
FieldTurf vice-president of Marketing, Innovation and Customer Service Darren Gill, stated that the primary material option is crumb rubber, but it’s only one of the options available.
“In terms of the alternate products, there’s organic products. We have a system that’s made up of cork,” said Gill. “When it comes to recycled rubber, recyclers get paid to take tires, then convert them and sell the material back to us.”
In regards to crumb rubber, Gill said that there have been a decent amount of studies that have been peer-reviewed, and that the data comes back in several cases to show that artificial turf is safer than natural grass.
“What’s important to know is [FieldTurf] does not have any ownership of rubber manufacturers. If we didn’t think rubber was the best thing to be putting on our fields, we wouldn’t put it in there,” said Gill.
Although this is a hot topic, it is not so popular in the fields of research. Most studies are outdated, with the latest information available from a 2009 report by the EPA, which admitted that the recycled tires made of the infill posed no threat.
Ken Spaeth, Division Chief Occupational and Environmental Medicine North Shore LIJ Health System added to the concerns of using tire crumb for turf fields.
“You have a large group of toxic substances that are in the materials that kids are playing on,” Spaeth said. “Aside from the chemicals, there have been questions raised if these surfaces increase risk of infections, like MRSA.”
Island Trees School District was approved for a synthetic turf field in an Excel Bond Referendum in 2008, with the installation completed in 2010. Island Trees School Superintendent Dr. Charles Murphy, has been thrilled with the newer athletic addition to the school.
“We spent almost $1 million for the fields. I was only here for a season with the old grass field, but from what I am told, the stadium field was unusable for portions of the year due to wear and tear,” he said.
The district selected LandTek, an Amityville-based turf company and one of the largest contractors on Long Island, to install the turf fields. According to Murphy, the decision was a solid one.
“The new field is in constant use by our school district and community youth programs—rain or shine,” said Murphy. “In fact, it is a focal point for many community gatherings. The students, parents and community have enjoyed it for the past five years, and I personally love it because it has benefited the students in so many ways.”
Levittown School District, on the other hand, has two turf fields—one at MacArthur High School, and one at Division High School. The district politely declined to participate
in this story.
