Astroturf and other synthetic alternatives to grass are getting a green makeover. Whereas fake grass was once pitched as a way to save maintenance costs, now it's touted as a way to reduce carbon emissions and water consumption. But parents in San Francisco aren't so sure they want all that plastic in playgrounds...
Blogging the San Francisco Chronicle: Grass or Turf?
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the synthetic turf contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, which could cause cancer. We're not sure about artificial grass of the sort people are putting in their lawns. Though it is also made of plastic, lead chromate (also found in artificial Christmas trees and strings of lights) seems to be a bigger concern there; tests done by the lawn industry, of course, have found no threat.
It's a funny thing: grass, especially clipped short and green, is no more natural or native out in California than artificial turf. The fertilizers and pesticides required to keep grass lush and green pollute the water. Which is worse? It's hard to say.
So what this seems to come down to is a taste critique. People who prefer a more naturalistic aesthetic want "real" grass, while those who are more focused on economy and utility go for the synthetic. Where do you come down? Would you put a fake grass lawn in your back yard to save water?
infographic via the San Francisco Chronicle
Comments (4)
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I live in SF and prefer real grass like in Golden Gate Park Sharon Meadows area or the grassy knolls at GG Park Koret Children's Quarter.
view stickyricemama's profile
99% of the time I prefer real grass; however, I played soccer for the first time on turf this past spring and it was awesome. For some reason I had it in my head that playing on turf resulted in more injuries, but I found the turf to be much more forgiving when I fell and easier to run and turn on...
Grass for parks and turf for playing fields doesn't seem so bad. Especially in an area like ours where water is at a premium.
view Green Me's profile
I put synthetic turf in my backyard and will be putting it in my front yard soon. See the pix at http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2007/08/tie-dye-playdate-progress-report.html.
The backfill was a mix of white sand and "Nike grind", the leftover rubber after they stamped out shoe soles.
If you are concerned about PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the environment, may I suggest you stop using gas-powered lawn mowers and driving cars?
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/polycyclicaromatichydrocarbons.htm
view Grace2's profile
I put in some artificial grass in my backyard from NewGrass www.newgrasslandscape.com they don't use rubber crumbs, I am not sure I would have done it if they did.
view Jen0271's profile