infill and legislative presentation · • turf vs natural grass • field types • base •...

Uncovering TurfExamining the modern turf complexities and

infills

Jay Dixon | 714.380.4568 | [email protected]

Overview

• History of Artificial Turf• Turf vs Natural Grass• Field Types

• Base• Drainage design• Pad• Turf• Infill• Maintenance


Components/ Ingredients

Common Core State Standard

• CCSS 9‐10.RI.8‐ Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.

• Objectives:• The student will be able to identify the modes of persuasion: logos, ethos, pathos.

• The student will be able to understand logical fallacies.

Modes of Persuasion

Yesterday’s Challenges

• Field more sports• Consistent surface• Reduce maintenance costs/time• Reduce water usage• Upfront cost


Today’s Challenges

• Surface heat• Concussions• Sustainability

• Upfront Cost• Lifecycle cost


Today’s Challenges• 2014: NBC News with Brian Williams: News story breaks involving University of Washington’s Assistant Soccer Coach, Amy Griffin, and her accusation that crumb rubber may be causing cancer in student athletes, particularly goal keepers.


Todays Challenges

• SB47• OEHHSA Study (California)• Federal Study

SB‐47

SB‐47

• The Children’s Safe Playground and Turf Field Act of 2015• Senator Jerry Hill (D‐ San Mateo & Santa Clara counties)• Prohibit installation of crumb rubber in fields until Jan 1, 2018• CA Senate Committee on Appropriations denied bill May 28, 2015

Current Studies‐ California

• Due by end of 2018• Comprised of five separate tasks:

• 1) expert and stakeholder input and consultation• 2) hazard identification• 3) exposure scenario development• 4) sampling and analysis of new and in‐field synthetic turf• 5) biomonitoring study protocol development

• Researchers will consider the effect of ingesting and inhaling the material as well as skin exposure to it in children and adults.

• OEHHA will conduct an assessment of potential health impacts associated with use of synthetic turf and playground mats.

• Before the assessment is finalized, OEHHA will hold workshops to elicit public comment and the assessment will also undergo review by a panel of scientific experts

Previous Studies‐ California

• 2007 & 2010

California‐ 2007 OEHHA Study

• Three routes of child exposure to chemicals in the rubber were considered:

• 1) ingestion of loose rubber tire shreds (acute exposure)• 2) ingestion via hand‐to‐surface contact followed by hand‐to‐mouth contact (chronic exposure)

• 3) skin sensitization via dermal contact (acute exposure)

Federal Study

• EPA, ATSDR, CPSC‐ Draft due by end of 2016• Comprised of three separate tasks

• Fill important data and knowledge gaps• Characterize constituents of recycled tire crumb• Identify ways in which people may be exposed to tire crumb based on their activities on the fields.

California‐ 2007 OEHHA Study

• 49 chemicals identified• “Overall, we consider it unlikely that a one time ingestion of tire shreds would produce adverse health effects.”

Limitations in Current Studies

• It is true that the Research Plan is not without problems.• A Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility review cautioned that the Federal Research Plan is not a plan to action but a plan to study.

• It primarily leads to more questions and only defines gaps in exposure.

For Crumb Rubber• 50+ studies completed on crumb rubber and its health impacts

• Longevity of use worldwide

• Simulated use study• Carbon black

Against Crumb Rubber

Alternatives to Crumb Rubber

Infill‐ Things to Consider• Organic vsInorganic

• Prop 65• Heat• Performance• Safety• Aesthetics• Cost


Crumb Rubber

PROS• Sustainability‐ Reusable• Low upfront cost• Most widely used and proven infill• Low lifecycle cost• Does not float• Non‐abrasive• Domestic sourcing• Grooming maintenance• Anti‐Microbial• Warranty 10 years

CONS• Heat• Not Prop 65 complaint• Not fire resistant


Virgin Rubber‐ EPDM

Pros• Wide range of colors• Less heat • Prop 65 compliant*• Does not float• Anti‐microbial• Fire resistant• Non‐abrasive• Fire resistant• Warranty 8‐10 years

Cons• Not sustainable• Higher cost• High lifecycle cost


RSI

PROS• Cooler surface heat• Sustainability‐ Reusable• Low lifecycle cost• Low maintenance• Does not compact• Homogenous install• Anti‐microbial• Fire resistant• UV Stable

CONS• Upfront cost‐medium• Pad required• Relative abrasiveness‐Medium/High


Virgin Rubber‐ TPE

PROS• Less hot• Somewhat sustainable (separate sand)

• Maintenance‐ grooming• Does not float• Resilient• Fire resistant‐ available• Non abrasive• Warranty 8‐10 years• Domestic & international sourcing

CONS• Susceptible to heat • Sand ballast• Pad needed• Higher cost


Solar Radiation Map


Organic Infills


Corkonut

PROS• Evaporative cooling• Sustainability‐ Compostable• Prop 65 compliant• Fire resistant‐ cork• Non abrasive

CONS• Regularly wetting to reduce heat and maintain balance

• Floats• High cost• High maintenance cost (Active Maintenance)

• Sand ballast• May harbor disease/bacteria• Breaks down


Zeolite

PROS• Naturally occurring• Prop 65 compliant• Low upfront cost• Cooling

CONS• Not a performance infill• May break down• May harbor bacteria• Not proven• Abrasive


Other Organics

Walnut Shells• Tree nut allergies• Abrasive• May harbor bacteria• Prop 65 compliant• Not proven

Shoe Rubber• Post consumer• 75k‐90k pairs of shoes per field• Used in combination with other infills

• Internationally sourced• Not proven


What you need to do

• Define your needs• Develop a budget• Consult a systems specialist• Develop specs with a team (systems specialist, architect, facilities staff, school staff..etc)

• Hold a town hall meeting


Surface HeatRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber

Cool Less Hot Hot

SustainabilityRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber

Not Sustainable Somewhat Sustainable Sustainable


Upfront Cost

RSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber

Low Medium HighJay Dixon | 714.380.4568 | [email protected]

Lifecycle CostRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber


MaintenanceRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber


FloatRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber

Does Not Somewhat Floats Jay Dixon | 714.380.4568 | [email protected]

WarrantyRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16


Fire ResistantRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber

No Available YesJay Dixon | 714.380.4568 | [email protected]

Relative AbrasivenessRSI

Cork

Corkonut

TPE

EPDM

Crumb Rubber

No Somewhat YesJay Dixon | 714.380.4568 | [email protected]

Maintenance

• Maximize appearance and longevity• Ensure maximum performance and playability• Address field usage and special circumstances• Meet field’s warranty requirements


Components of Maintenance• Conduct inspections and perform minor repairs

• Keep playing surface clean of debris and contaminants

• Check/maintain proper infill levels (GMAX)

• Brush to preserve appearance and keep fibers upright


Maintenance Equipment

• Drag brushes, mats, and nets• Hand held equipment• High pressure cleaner• Maintenance log


Other Applications


JAY DIXONSystems Specialist(714) 380‐4568

[email protected]

www.TurfConsultant.com


infill and legislative presentation · • turf vs natural grass • field types • base •...

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