Multiple Uses of Synthetic Grass Fields

Athletics

• Professional and college sports teams install synthetic grass since it doesn't require watering for growth. Also, natural grass is more prone to turf damage than synthetic grass. Football, baseball and soccer teams use synthetic grass on a regular basis, and some tennis arenas feature synthetic grass courts. Although synthetic grass is popular among sports teams, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture claims it needs constant irrigation to prevent the fields' temperatures from rising. Drainage repairs and spraying for odors are other maintenance considerations.

Landscapes

• Homeowners often substitute synthetic grass for natural grass in areas where it's difficult for natural grass to grow. The American Southwest and Mountain West are the primary regions for synthetic-grass landscapes. Colorado State University's Extension program says installing synthetic grass is more expensive than using natural-grass plods. The cost of planting synthetic grass ranges between $4 to $10 per square foot. Animal feces and debris are more difficult to remove from synthetic grass than natural grass.

Airports

• Multiple U.S. airports plant synthetic grass by their runways instead of natural grass. Logan International Airport in Boston, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and Chicago-O'Hare International Airport are among the U.S. airports using synthetic grass. Airport workers rarely approach the synthetic grass near runways. Thus, maintaining an airport's synthetic grass field is not as vital as providing upkeep for home landscapes or athletic fields. Also, synthetic grass is easier for rescue vehicles to drive on than natural grass -- and it doesn't become muddy and produce runoff water onto a runway.

Problems

• Natural grass naturally absorbs heat, which provides a cooling effect. However, synthetic grass does not absorb heat. As a result, temperatures rise in the areas surrounding synthetic grass lawns. According to the New York State Department of Health, synthetic grass also creates latex allergies, due to the large amount of latex found in the grass' rubber material. Synthetic grass contains a high percentage of lead, which is a major cause of lead poisoning.