Synthetic Turf Disposal and Health Concerns
In the past, sports playing surfaces have primarily been made of natural grass. However, many of today’s sports fields are made of artificial turf at both the youth and the professional level. It is not completely clear as to which playing surface is the better choice, but there are several positives and negatives of artificial turf and natural grass. Some people say that athletes are more prone to injury when playing on artificial turf compared to natural grass. If this is true, this can potentially become a major problem, as many sports teams are transitioning over to artificial turf. While injuries are a major topic of the debate, a serious issue is how artificial turf affects the environment. Artificial turf, which is made of recycled rubber, has a lifespan typically between ten and twelve years. When that lifespan is up it can either be recycled or disposed of in landfills. Sometimes, the turf is recycled and reused, but when there is no need for it, there is no other option but to dispose of it into a landfill. The problem with this is that “only 8 states have no restrictions on placing tires in landfills. The primary reasons behind these restrictions include the possibility of pest infestations and tire fires (Claudio). Another reason that artificial turf is looked at negatively is because of the chemicals that the rubber contains. The chemicals can potentially be hazardous if they come into contact with a person’s skin, are inhaled through the air, or are ingested …
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Turf Toe is a common injury among athletes who play on artificial turf or grass as athletes shoe grips the big toe can be bent in an upwardly forward motion that can cause damage to bones, ligaments, or tendons. This injury is often misdiagnosed so it is important to see a doctor well-versed with this condition. It is easily treated if correctly diagnosed.
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