The Pros & Cons Of
Artificial/Synthetic Grass
September 4th, 2017
Total Landscape Care
Selected And Adapted Excerpts
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Artificial/Synthetic Grass Is Used When
There Are Concerns About Droughts,
Water Conservation, & A Desire To
Cut Down On Maintenance [ ?!?! ]
There are a lot of heavily debated topics in the landscaping industry, probably more than an outsider would expect, but one that is particularly divisive is the use of artificial/synthetic grass.
Artificial/synthetic grass installation has been a growing business for the past several years due to recent droughts, a concern to conserve water, and desire to cut down on maintenance. [ ?!?! ]
According to the Synthetic Turf Council ― landscape, golf, and other recreation applications are the fastest growing segments of the artificial/synthetic grass market.
Over 35 million square feet of artificial/synthetic grass for landscapes was installed in 2012.
According to Victor Lanfranco, co-owner of Synthetic Grass Warehouse ―
The engineering ― the technology ― has come a long, long way, especially in the last decade.
It’s now a widely accepted product for the landscape. [ ?!?! ]
Here are some of the pros and cons of artificial/synthetic grass that you can share with customers if they are on the fence about using the product.
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Pros ― Water Conservation
Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Offers Savings In Water
One of the main reasons artificial/synthetic grass has become so popular, especially out West, is because of the water savings it offers.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( US EPA ), a household’s irrigation water use can be as high as 60 per cent, and it is estimated that landscape irrigation accounts for one-third of all residential water use.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority estimates that every square foot of natural grass replaced saves 55 gallons of water per year.
Natural grass proponents have admitted that people often water their grass too much, making artificial/synthetic grass the winner on this point.
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Pros ― Appearance
Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Looks Great 24/7 All Year Long
Gone are the days of where artificial/synthetic grass would stick out like a sore thumb and everyone could tell in an instance it was fake.
Nowadays artificial/synthetic grass options are almost limitless and can fool about anyone who looks at it.
Artificial/synthetic grass is UV stabilized to protect against color fading.
Unlike natural grass that will have to deal with diseases, drought, and dormancy, artificial/synthetic grass has the benefits of looking great 24/7 all year long.
It can also be used to spruce up spaces where it isn’t feasible to grow natural grass, like on rooftops.
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Pros ― Durable
Artificial/Synthetic Grass Can Put Up
With Heavy Use, & Is Less Demanding
Than Natural Grass [ ?!?! ]
Natural grasses can be fickle and demanding, needing much tender loving care to stay looking their best, but artificial/synthetic grass is far less needy. [ ?!?! ]
Artificial/synthetic grass can put up with heavy use and can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years according to most distributors. [ ?!?! ]
It also does not provide a habitat for lawn pests like insects, moles and gophers, that can damage a natural grass.
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Cons ― Temperature
Artificial/Synthetic Grass May
Be 86.5 Degrees Fahrenheit
Hotter Than Natural Grass
According to Turfgrass Producers International, artificial/synthetic grass has been documented to be 86.5 degrees Fahrenheit [ 30 degrees Celsius ] HOTTER than natural grass under identical conditions. [ !!!! ]
This is because natural grass has water within it allowing it to have cooling properties.
The type of product used in the IN-FILL can also have a significant effect of the temperature of the grass.
Black recycled rubber tire crumb will make things far hotter than organic IN-FILL like coconut fibers.
Sub-surface cooling systems can be installed to keep the temperatures down. [ ?!?! ]
Lighter colored grass blades can also keep the lawn cooler. [ ?!?! ]
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Cons ― Health Concerns
Recycled Rubber Tire Crumb Used
As In-Fill May Contain Carcinogens
One of the biggest arguments against artificial/synthetic grass has been the use of recycled rubber tire crumb as an IN-FILL.
Because tires have heavy metals and other pollutant content, there has been some concern that they contain carcinogens. [ !!!! ]
Recent reports of soccer players who played on artificial fields being diagnosed with cancer has also raised suspicions but current studies say there is not an elevated health risk. [ ?!?! ]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( US EPA ), along with the Center for Disease Control, Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, launched a research action plan to collect more information in 2016 and are still continuing in 2017.
Currently there is not enough evidence for them to say whether there is a true danger or not.
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Cons ― Cost
Artificial/Synthetic
Grass Is Costly
Having an artificial/synthetic grass installed is costly. [ !!!! ]
Home-owners have to have pay for grass removal, ground preparation, and the irrigation system, if they want to control the temperature of the artificial/synthetic grass.
Artificial/synthetic grass can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per square foot, while natural grass sod typically costs 14 to 60 cents per square foot.
Artificial/synthetic grass installers will argue that this installation will pay for itself in three to five years thanks to the lack of maintenance costs that would be accrued from natural grass care. [ !!!! ]
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The Pros & Cons Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass
Trade-Offs
Here are some of the points that have been cited as pros or cons depending on the group listing them that are actually trade-offs.
One is not necessarily better than the other, they’re just different. [ ?!?! ]
Often artificial/synthetic grass is promoted as environmentally friendly because home-owners do not have to water, fertilize, or mow their lawns any more, reducing emissions by no longer being dependent on gas-powered machines. [ ?!?! ]
Natural grass is praised for its ability to sequester carbon dioxide gases, yet it needs to be maintained by machines that give off more CO2. [ ?!?! ]
It is also said to reduce noise and air pollution, but often natural grass care equipment is noisy and pollutes the air as well. [ ?!?! ]
Maintenance is often said to be nonexistent for artificial/synthetic grass, but if home-owners do want their artificial/synthetic grass to last as long as possible, there is some maintenance needed. [ !!!! ]
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Everything You Want
To Know About
Artificial/Synthetic Grass
October 2nd, 2014
The Globe and Mail
Selected And Adapted Excerpts
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Everything You Want To Know
In 2014, a coalition of female soccer players filed a gender discrimination complaint against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association, for failing to provide natural grass for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Canada.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association ( FIFA, International Federation of Association Football ) is a private association which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, futsal, and beach soccer.
FIFA is responsible for the organization of football’s major international tournaments, notably the World Cup which commenced in 1930 and the Women’s World Cup which commenced in 1991.
The female soccer players contended that these organizations were discriminating against female soccer players by holding the 2015 Women’s World Cup on ARTIFICIAL-GRASS in Canada.
By contrast, male soccer players had only ever played their World Cups on NATURAL GRASS, and were expected to play their next two on the natural stuff as well.
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Everything You Want To Know
What’s The Current State Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass ?!?!
One of the main differences between artificial/synthetic grass used today, and older versions, is the use of IN-FILL material, which gives the surface far more cushioning and acts as artificial earth, providing more shock absorption and natural footing.
That IN-FILL is made of materials such as sand and recycled rubber tire crumb ( produced from ground-up recycled tires ).
Older versions of artificial/synthetic grass had shorter piles of synthetic grass blades that were more abrasive to the skin, and used just sand as IN-FILL, or none at all.
Today’s IN-FILL have longer piles made of plastic fibers, which feel softer than in the past.
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Everything You Want To Know
What Is FIFA’s Standard ?!?!
The artificial/synthetic grass pitches for the 2015 Women’s World Cup had to be 2-Star recommended fields, the highest standard within the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf.
The pitches could only be from one of FIFA’s select group of approved manufacturers.
All competition and training fields from the six host Canadian cities had to be rigorously tested within one year of competition.
The physical materials were measured and tested, as well as the field’s durability, the reaction of the ball on the surface, and the reaction of a player to the surface.
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Everything You Want To Know
Has Natural Grass Been Installed Over Artificial ?!?!
Yes.
When the United States hosted the men’s 1994 World Cup, FIFA installed natural grass on top of the artificial/synthetic grass at the Pontiac Silverdome, then the home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
It was the first time World Cup matches would be played indoors.
Experts in turf-grass management at Michigan State University spent 18 months trying to figure out how to keep grass alive inside a domed stadium for the month-long tournament, and came up with the world’s first portable natural grass system ― 1,900 hexagonal aluminum trays, each containing about 50 square feet of grass, which would be wheeled in and out.
That single-field conversion cost FIFA about $2-million US.
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Everything You Want To Know
How Could The Artificial/Synthetic Grass Be Converted To Natural Grass For The Women’s Tournament ?!?!
If organizers had to put the tournament on natural grass, they would either move the games to appropriate natural grass fields or put temporary natural grass right on top of the artificial/synthetic grass surfaces.
The cost estimates for conversion vary wildly, but one expert estimated about $600,000 to $700,000 per field.
It would likely be done by putting a series of trays of soil on top of the synthetic surface, and then putting thick sod on top.
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Everything You Want To Know
Why Do Many Soccer Players Prefer Natural Grass ?!?!
Artificial/synthetic grass is used for soccer at many levels around the world, as well as field hockey, rugby and NFL and NCAA football.
It is used in CFL stadiums ― five of which are being used for the 2015 Women’s World Cup ( Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Vancouver ).
In fact, many of the female soccer players who played in the 2014 World Cup played in small artificial/synthetic grass stadiums in the National Women’s Soccer League, said they did what they must to build a foundation for their young league.
The ball moves differently on artificial/synthetic grass, changing the way the game is played, and the abandon with which they play it, many soccer players say.
Sliding on it can be more painful than on natural grass and diving headers more risky.
On a hot, sunny day, artificial/synthetic grass heats up, thanks to its BLACK IN-FILL and synthetic grass fibers, and watering it only does so much to cool it down.
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Background Information
RISKS
With Artificial⁄
Synthetic Grass
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Background Information
√ FACTS About The Real Risks With Artificial⁄Synthetic Grass
√ FACT — Artificial/Synthetic Grass Requires Exorbitant Costs For Its Installation
√ FACT — Heat Effects Leading To Health Risk Since Surface Temperatures Are Much Higher With Artificial/Synthetic Grass When Compared To Natural Grass
√ FACT — Higher Maintenance Costs For Artificial/Synthetic Grass Are Often Not Considered For Grooming, Brooming, & Repairs
√ FACT – There Are Higher Incidences Of Non-Contact Injuries With Artificial/Synthetic Grass When Compared To Natural Grass
√ FACT — Playing On Artificial/Synthetic Grass Will Subject Players To Increased Abrasions That Lead To Infections
√ FACT — Environmental Clean-Up Costs Will Be Required Once The Lifespan Of Artificial/Synthetic Grass Has Ended
√ FACT — Artificial/Synthetic Grass Will Ultimately Require Overwhelming & Repeated Disposal In Landfills
√ FACT — Government Officials Are Thinking Twice Before Banning Pesticides ― Artificial/Synthetic Grass May No Longer Be Necessary
√ FACT — Artificial/Synthetic Grass May Contain Toxic Chemicals & Toxins That May Be Deemed Unsafe For Children, Adults, & The Environment
√ FACT — Toxic Chemicals & Toxins From Artificial/Synthetic Grass, Such As Zinc & Other Compounds, May Run-Off At Levels That Are Above Ground-Water Standards
√ FACT — The Use Of Recycled Rubber Tire Crumb As An In-Fill Has Led To Concerns About Cancer
√ FACT — With Anti-Pesticide Prohibition, It Has Become Impossible To Maintain Natural Grass Areas Like Sports Fields, Leading To The Panic-Filled Installations Of Artificial⁄Synthetic Grass
√ FACT — There Are Real Trends Against Pesticide Bans ― Artificial/Synthetic Grass May No Longer Be Necessary
SUMMARY
Artificial⁄synthetic grass is exorbitantly expensive and dangerous !
With anti-pesticide prohibition, it has become impossible to maintain a natural grass on areas like sports fields.
Consequently, natural grass sports fields are being replaced by exorbitantly expensive and dangerous artificial/synthetic grass.
The real risks of artificial/synthetic grass have been overlooked in the unscientific panic against pest control products.
When it comes to pest control products, government officials can learn a lot from the experience of those who have gone before ― if the goal is to reduce real and verifiable risks, promote a more natural environment, and encourage healthy activities ― prohibiting pest control products seems a strange way to go about it when switching to artificial/synthetic grass.
There are real risks when using artificial/synthetic grass.
Artificial/synthetic grass is exorbitantly expensive and dangerous !
REPORTS, BLOG, REFERENCES, VIDEO RECORDINGS, & SLIDE SHOW
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE & DANGEROUS ( Blog )
ARTIFICIAL/SYNTHETIC GRASS ( Web-Page )
https://pesticidetruths.com/toc/artificialsynthetic-grass/
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — NATURAL GRASS ON PATH TO EXTINCTION — KITCHENER, WATERLOO, UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, ONTARIO — MR PETER SHAWN TAYLOR ( Reports & Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — KEEPING ONTARIO UGLY — MR PETER SHAWN TAYLOR ( Report )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — THE NEW GREEN ( Report )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — PROMOTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT — BANNING PESTICIDES — MANITOBA — MACLEAN’S MAGAZINE ( Report & Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — KEEP U OF T BACK CAMPUS GREEN — MARGARET ATWOOD — UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ( Report )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — DANGEROUS — LAWSUIT BY FEMALE PLAYERS WHO SAY FAKE SOCCER TURF VIOLATES CHARTER, THREATEN LEGAL ACTION ( Report )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — DANGEROUS — ATHLETES CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF ARTIFICIAL TURF — STOP THE INSANITY ( Report With Video Recording )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYoiDqmaqJc
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — DANGEROUS — CITY BANS ARTIFICIAL GRASS — HEALTH HAZARDS — GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA ( Report With Video Recording )
https://pesticidetruths.com/2011/11/20/youtube-california-city-bans-artificial-grass-health-hazards/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1MfX3fEKGw
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — DANGEROUS — PLAY IT SAFE & HEALTHY — ARTIFICIAL & NATURAL SURFACES ( Report & Slide Show, Scribd )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE — $9,500,000 — PLANNED ASTROTURF FOR PAN AM GAMES FIELD CREATES CONTROVERSY — TORONTO, ONTARIO ( Report & Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE — $4,900,000 COST OF CONSTRUCTION — NATURAL TO SYNTHETIC — WATERLOO, ONTARIO ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE — $400,000 — LAWN BOWLING CLUB — DELTA ( LADNER ), BRITISH COLUMBIA ( Reports & Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE — $1,500,000 — PIPER SPORTS FIELD — MARBLEHEAD, MAINE ( Report )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE — $7,200,000 — NATURAL TO SYNTHETIC — BETTER PLANET PROJECT — UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, ONTARIO ( References )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EXORBITANTLY EXPENSIVE — $1,500,000 TO BE SPENT RE-SODDING & RENOVATING SPORTS FIELDS & ARTIFICIAL TURF — KINGSTON, ONTARIO ( Report & Reference )
REFERENCES
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT — THE PROS & CONS OF SYNTHETIC TURF — NORAHG RESPONSE ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — MONTREAL-BASED FIELD TURF UNDER FIRE FOR QUALITY OF FIELDS IN THE U.S. ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — TORONTO BY-LAWS TURF OUT CAREFREE FAKE LAWNS ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TURF LAWSUIT ADDS RETALIATION CLAIM ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — ATHLETES CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF ARTIFICIAL TURF ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ARTIFICIAL TURF ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — HOW SAFE IS THE ARTIFICIAL TURF YOUR CHILD PLAYS ON ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — BOOM TIME FOR ARTIFICIAL LAWN MAKERS — CALIFORNIA DROUGHT ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — TORONTO FC STARS DON’T LIKE ARTIFICIAL TURF EITHER ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — NBC NEWS LOOKS INTO POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN ARTIFICIAL TURF & CANCER ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — SYNTHETIC LAWN IS TOXIC TURF — AUSTRALIA ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — CALIFORNIA CITY BANS ARTIFICIAL GRASS — HEALTH HAZARDS — HARTMAN, CALIFORNIA ( Reference )
ARTIFICIAL GRASS — PLAY IT SAFE & HEALTHY — ARTIFICIAL & NATURAL SURFACES — SLIDE SHOW ( Reference )
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WE SPEAK THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT ARTIFICIAL/SYNTHETIC GRASS FROM AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE !
We are the National Organization Responding Against HUJE that conspire to destroy the Green space and other industries ( NORAHG ). As a non-profit and independent organization, we are environmentalists who are dedicated to reporting about truth-challenged pesticide-hating fanatжcs ( HUJE ) who conspire to destroy businesses that are dependent on the use of safe and effective conventional pest control products. We also report on the work of several highly-rated leading experts who have recognized expertise, training, and background in matters concerning pest control products, and who promote environmental realism and pesticide truths.
Not surprisingly, enviro-fanatжcs have demonstrated that they are incapable of processing overwhelming scientific evidence. Should we trust these fanatжcs, who conveniently ignore scientific evidence, and attempt to impose their politicized-doctrines and twisted life-style choices against our society ?!?!
NORAHG was the brainchild of Mr William H Gathercole and his colleagues in 1991. Mr Gathercole is now retired, although his name continues to appear as founder. We dare to defy the pesticide-hating fanatжcs by exploring the whole truth from an independent perspective on The Pesticide Truths Web-Site … https://pesticidetruths.com/ If you wish to receive free reports on issues that concern you, please contact us at … force.of.de.nature@gmail.com WILLIAM H GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G
√ FACTS PROVING THAT PESTICIDES ARE SCIENTIFICALLY SAFE
NO ONE NEEDS ARTIFICIAL/SYNTHETIC GRASS
NORAHG is the sworn enemy of lying, pompous, smug, uneducated, & pesticide-hating enviro-fanatжcs. Overwhelming scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that pest control products are scientifically-safe, and will not cause harm to children, adults, animals, or the environment. ( See links below. )
√ FACT — Pesticides Are Less Lethal To Humans Than Caffeine — LINK
√ FACT — Yes, You Are Definitely Ingesting Pesticides, But Here’s Why It’s Not A Problem — LINK
√ FACT — Children Are Not At Risk From Pesticides — Dangerous Playing Surfaces Are Created By #@!!% Pesticide Bans — LINK
https://pesticidetruths.com/toc/children-are-not-at-risk/
√ FACT — Pest Control Products Are Safe For Kids — Slide Show — LINK
√ FACT — Chemicals Are Evaluated For Carcinogenic Potential By Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) — LINKS
√ FACT — Pesticides Are Evaluated As Acceptable For Continued Registration By Health Canada — LINK
√ FACT — Our Children Are Safe When Pesticide Bans Are Stopped — There Are Real Trends AGAINST Pesticide Bans — LINK
√ FACT — Pest Control Products Have Been Tested In More Ways Than Virtually Any Other Set Of Substances — The Industry Task Force II On 2,4-D Research Data — LINKS
√ FACT — Pesticides Are Safe — LINKS
https://pesticidetruths.com/toc/children-are-not-at-risk/
√ FACT — Pesticides Are Health Canada Approved — Listen To Mr Lindsay Hanson From The Pest Management Regulatory Agency — LINK
https://pesticidetruths.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/dirtybit//LHansonPMRAottawaPesticideSafety.mp3
√ FACT — There Is No Direct Proof Pesticides Cause Cancer — Canadian Cancer Society — LINK
√ FACT — REAL Experts Speak Out Against The Conspiracy To Impose Reckless & Arbitrary Prohibition Against Conventional Pest Control Products — LINK
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