Hot footing it: The heat is on artificial turf

As reported in the March article, Geoffrey Croft (head of the watchdog group, NYC Park Advocates) took, before noon, temperature readings at a dozen New York City parks in July 2010. Artificial turf fields measured over 170 degrees — the highest temperature recorded in his three years of monitoring. By 9:15am, the temperature had already risen to over 140 degrees. "Young children are particularly susceptible, as it can take only two seconds to burn on solid surfaces greater than 140 degrees, according to doctors,"said Croft.

In 2009, the City Council passed legislation mandating the presence of warning signs on artificial turf fields. The posted sign warns about "potential heat-related risks involving synthetic turf, including overheating and dehydration…if you experience symptoms of heat-related illness, such as dizziness, weakness, headache, vomiting or muscle cramps, move to a shaded area. Drink water, rest, and seek medical attention if you do not feel better."

The NYC Health Department says people can suffer dehydration, heatstroke and thermal burns at field temperatures above 115 degrees…." Croft added, "which can lead to death."

Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council, admitted he didn’t think "anyone in our industry would suggest it's a good idea to play on a surface that's that hot."Speaking to NPR on August 7, 2008, he added, "Just as coaches have to reschedule games due to rain when they play on grass fields, so too they need to reschedule or consider an alternative surface to play on when it's sunny."

The 50,000-square-foot renovated field opened this May at a cost of around $2 million. Philip Abramson, a spokesperson for the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, wrote in an email, "The project provided for the replacement of the existing synthetic turf [knitted nylon carpet, no infill] with new [polyethelene fiber tufted, with Coated Abrasives sand] infill that will accommodate softball and football, an improved drainage system, new ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] accessible dugouts and drinking fountains, a bike rack and a misting station."

Saturday, July 30, 2pm. Air temperature: In the upper 90s, on one of those stifling heat wave days. Turf temperature: At least 120 degrees (the highest our thermometer could register). In that heat, a friendly softball game took place between two teams composed of Stuyvesant High School graduates and their friends. The group formed in 2008 after they had graduated from different universities. Zach Rosenblatt said about the field, "It's nicer now for our purposes. We don’t need much, only soft, green ground and a fence. Jordan Epstein added, "It drains better than real grass, which puddles up. We wouldn't be able to play on it after a rain."

But all players affirmed that the turf is much hotter than natural grass. "And it hurts like hell to slide on it — rug burn," added Rosenblatt, so they try to avoid it. Billy Maughan felt the pain as he instinctively slid into base, as competitive softball and baseball players are inclined to do in the heat of the moment (as are soccer players when they try to kic"Oh, no," cognizant of what would result. The stoic Maughan, wearing shorts, had huge red welts on a knee and thigh. "I should have slid on my shirt," he quipped.