Why are we still using artificial turf?

Stuart Shalat, a specialist in environmental health, gives several reasons:

Black crumbs derived from tires are the prime component of artificial turf.  Tires are a mixture of natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black – a material made from petroleum – and somewhere between four and 10 gallons of petroleum products. They also contain metals, including cadmium, lead, which is neurotoxic, and zinc. Some of the chemicals in tires, such as dibenzopyrenes, are known carcinogens. Also, in addition to chemicals used in the manufacture of the tire, any chemical the tires were exposed to in their use can become absorbed on the carbon black in the tires.

Weedkiller is needed to kill the crabgrass and other weeds that start growing in it. 

The field surface temperatures can reach as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The turf  is laid over either concrete or compacted earth, artificial turf is a harder surface than grass. This can increase the risk of injuries, particularly concussion.