Artificial Turf Health Risks

Artificial athletic playing fields, both professional and community, have faced closer medical scrutiny in recent years, particularly over whether they contribute to the spread of contagious antibiotic-resistant Staph bacteria.

Although studies suggest the turf doesn't harbor bacteria, it does appear to put athletes at higher risk for cuts and abrasions, creating a way for bacteria on the skin to enter the body.

The concern is these abrasions can lead to the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (better known as MRSA) bacteria, which can lead to dangerous infections,

History

• The first AstroTurf field was installed at the Houston Astrodome.

  Better known as AstroTurf, the artificial playing surface has been around since 1966, when it was first installed in the Houston Astrodome. The playing fields are now commonly found in school and youth athletic complexes.

  There are 3,500 full-size, artificial fields in the United States, according to the Synthetic Turf Council, a trade group.

  Its original surface has been described as similar to indoor-outdoor carpet and was filled with sand. It was known for being hard and abrasive, but it became popular with professional sports teams because it's cheaper and easier to maintain than grass fields.

Problems

• Poor drainage systems with the original turf fields allowed moisture to accumulate, creating a potentially bacteria-friendly environment. Also, the plastic turf surface resulted in skin burns on players. The bacteria can remain on the surface for several hours.

  A half-dozen artificial fields in New York and New Jersey as much as a decade old or more have been closed because of concern about high levels of lead in the turf fibers, according to a 2008 article in USA Today.

Health Risks

• One health concerns with artificial turf is that it results in abrasions, a breeding ground for MRSA infections.

  Athletes are among the group at higher risk for MRSA infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

  In 2003, artificial turf came under national scrutiny when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blamed turf burns for MRSA infections in five St. Louis Rams football players, according to a 2007 story appearing in the Bucks County (PA) Courier Times.

  The CDC investigation found the turf abrasions usually were left uncovered, and when combined with frequent skin-to-skin contact, likely were a source of infection that was spread through shared towels and equipment.

New Materials

• Modern AstroTurf is longer, softer and spongier than the original short nylon pile. Its base is crushed stone topped by a playing surface filled with sand or rubber chips.

  Newer fields are topped with nonabsorbent material and polyethylene or polypropylene fibers designed to reduce abrasions. Companies also sell antimicrobial agents that can be reapplied periodically to prevent bacteria growth.

Little Evidence of Health Risk

• There is no evidence that turf burns are a significant MRSA transmission route, according to some studies.

  A 2006 Penn State University study that found no trace of S. aureus bacterium in any of 20 new generation synthetic turf fields and two natural grass fields tested in various Pennsylvania locations. Researchers concluded that the newer turfs did not encourage bacteria growth and that bacteria levels were three times higher in natural grass.

  Several independent studies in New York validate the safety of rubber infilled synthetic turf, according to the Synthetic Turf Council.

Expert Insight

• Natural elements also kill potentially harmful bacteria on turf fields.

  Natural elements such as sunlight, rain and temperature fluctuations also kill water-borne bacteria, says Dr. Stephen Ostroff, director of epidemiology for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

How Athletes Can Avoid MRSA

• Athletes should have cuts or scrapes that occur on the playing field immediately cleaned and covered to prevent infection. Also, players should not share towels or other personal items and should use antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers.