I think we all need to be careful about
this kind of press release. Where are these "independent" test
results that support this? What data exists
that supports the position that a rubber
or sand infill fields need to be sanitized
12 times a year?
Real life experience shows that there
are a significant number of synthetic grass
fields with a sand/rubber infill that have
been in the ground for the last five to
seven years, and none have experienced
anything close to what is referred to in
that press release.
The fact of the matter is that there have
not been any instances of staff infections
or bacterial growth in these types of fields.
I think a lot of this has to do with the
fact that these systems, when properly
installed, have excellent drainage capabilities.
The biggest problem with the synthetic
grass business today is that too many companies
will say and do just about anything to
attack other systems and make a sale, whether
the facts and the research support it or
not. No wonder people have such a low opinion
of the synthetic turf industry. I can't
say that I blame them.
The Synthetic
Turf Council was developed
to try and set minimum standards for both
the conduct of its members and the turf
systems that they sell. The Council is
off to a good start, but ultimately its
success or failure will depend on its members
willingness to abide by these rules.
Lip
service will not suffice.
As an industry, we need to provide our
customers with facts and relevant data.
We need to get away from the "marketing" ploys
and angles that people have used for years
to sell their products. In the end they
don't help our customers or our industry's
reputation.
— Web Cook,
vice president of sales, A-Turf,
Inc., Lancaster, PA |
