• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.28-44
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• 2015

Granite soil has been used traditionally as a school playground surface. Natural turf has also been used in some schools. Recently artificial turf has come into common use instead of granite soil or natural turf. Artificial turf playgrounds are used at 174 schools in Seoul, Korea. More than 3,500 artificial turf fields are installed in the United States. Because of the increase of artificial turf usage, there are many studies about the estimation of artificial turf effects to environment. Compared with artificial turf material effects such as characterization of substances released from material, and recognition of volatility of heavy metal into the surrounding environment - air or the percolating rainwater -, less studies for thermal effects of artificial turf playground have been done. Especially, the corresponding studies in Korea are few. Thus, the purpose of this research is to compare the thermal effects of artificial turf on school playground between natural turf and granite soil. In this study, air temperature and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) were compared in three scenarios by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. Additionally, the results were validated through a field measurement. Air temperature decreasing effects by natural turf are greater than those by artificial turf and granite soil at 14:30 on 20th, July 2011. It shows the same decreasing effects at 23:30. However, the difference is less than that of daytime. PMV differences between natural turf and the other two surface covers are large at daytime while those are much less at nighttime. Consequently, air temperature and PMV of artificial turf are the highest among three school playground surface pavements.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.206-221
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• 2012

Hazardous chemicals can be released from artificial turf used in some school playgrounds. To distinguish between Health risk assessment (HRA) exposure scenarios for this study, the ratio of elementary, middle and high schools was considered before final selection. Considering exposure pathways (inhalational, oral and dermal), media and materials were examined, targeting hazardous chemicals released from artificial turf playground-related products. Upon evaluation, the quantity of infill chips was shown to exceed the domestic product content standard (90 mg/kg) at eight (16%) out of 50 schools. PAHs were shown to exceed standards (10 mg/kg) at two (4%) out of the 50 schools. The excess cancer risk (ECR) of carcinogens was shown to be $1{\times}10^{-6}$ in most users for the worst exposure scenario. In children with pica, who represented the most extreme exposure group, the ECR was expected to be as high as $1{\times}10^{-4}$, showing the low risk level of carcinogens. The hazard index (HI) for individual chemicals was shown to be low, at around 0.1 or less, except for children with pica, according to the mean exposure scenario of artificial turf playground exposure. However, the HI was shown to exceed 1.0 in children with pica. Therefore, no direct health risk was found in using artificial turf playgrounds and urethane flooring tracks for the mean exposure scenario, except in children with pica.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.48-53
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• 2014

In this study, we would evaluate fire risk by domestic standard for artificial turf installed on field and roofs. Today domestic regulation for artificial turf only applies to outdoor uses and especially KS M 3888-1 has compulsion but limited to school athletic facilities. Indoor regulation complying with National Emergency Management Agency (No. 2012-35) was enacted as recommendations. Thus this study did combustion test of artificial turf installed on field. Analyzed result by 45 degree flammability test, standard was inadequate to judge the fire risk so we compared and analysed its characteristic through combustion test of flame retardant finishing carpet used as flooring. Test and assessment result of its ignitionability by 45 degree flammability test showed that carpet was satisfied with flame retardant finishing performance standard contrary to artificial turf. For this reason, by conducting cone calorimeter test, the combustion property after ignition would be analyzed and evaluated and then this study will suggest a countermeasure for strengthening standard.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2015

Playground is frequently used for physical and sports activity by students as well as by common people, which is constructed with various cover materials on the ground. This research surveyed the surface temperature in Kyungpook National University Sangju campus playground which is covered with various cover materials [bare field, zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) turf field, urethane track, concrete field, epoxy field and artificial turf field] in Sangju, Gyeongsangbukdo, Korea. Temperature was measured 4 times per day at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00 from May to October 2014 in surface and 1 m height above the ground. Surface temperature was different, depending on cover materials and survey time. Bare field and zoysiagrass turf field was lower surface temperature than other sites. Higher surface temperature site was different depending on survey time. Urethane track and artificial turf field was hotter than other sites at 12 and 15 hours, however concrete and epoxy field was hot at 18 hours. One meter above ground temperature was the highest in artificial turf field except at 18 hours. So natural turf, zoysiagrass playground will increase the athletic performance by reduce the surface and above ground temperature.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.27
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• pp.5.1-5.10
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of ingestion exposure of lead by particle sizes of crumb rubber in artificial turf filling material with consideration of bioavailability. Methods: This study estimated the ingestion exposure by particle sizes (more than 250 um or less than 250 um) focusing on recyclable ethylene propylene diene monomer crumb rubber being used as artificial turf filling. Analysis on crumb rubber was conducted using body ingestion exposure estimate method in which total content test method, acid extraction method and digestion extraction method are reflected. Bioavailability which is a calibrating factor was reflected in ingestion exposure estimate method and applied in exposure assessment and risk assessment. Two methods using acid extraction and digestion extraction concentration were compared and evaluated. Results: As a result of the ingestion exposure of crumb rubber material, the average lead exposure amount to the digestion extraction result among crumb rubber was calculated to be $1.56{\times}10^{-4}$ mg/kg-day for low grade elementary school students and $4.87{\times}10^{-5}$ mg/kg-day for middle and high school students in 250 um or less particle size, and that to the acid extraction result was higher than the digestion extraction result. Results of digestion extraction and acid extraction showed that the hazard quotient was estimated by about over 2 times more in particle size of lower than 250 um than in higher than 250 um. There was a case of an elementary school student in which the hazard quotient exceeded 0.1. Conclusions: Results of this study confirm that the exposure of lead ingestion and risk level increases as the particle size of crumb rubber gets smaller.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2006

This study was initiated to investigate the difference of playing ability among soccer fields established with natural turfgrass, artificial turf and bare ground. The soccer fields with natural turfgrasses were established with cool-season grass(Kentucky bluegrass 80%+Perennial ryegrass 20%) and zoysiagrass. The artificial turf field was constructed with Konigreen $DV5000^{TM}$. Bare ground was sandy soil. Data such as ball rolling distance and vertical ball rebound were collected at the Sports Science Town of Konkuk University from 2005 to 2006. A ball in the study was Hummel Air Vision #1, certified by KFA(Korea Football Association) in ball pressure of 1.01b. Ball rolling distance was the longest on bare ground(13.6m), followed by artificial grass(11.4m), cool-season grass(7.8m) and zoysiagrass(4.7m). It decreased with lower frequency in use, stronger rigidity and higher density of turfgrass. Vertical ball rebound was the highest on bare ground(1.0m), followed by artificial grass(0.9m), cool-season grass(0.6m) and zoysiagrass(0.4m). It was lower under conditions of low use frequency, strong rigidity, and high density. Both ball rolling distance and vertical ball rebound were not greatly affected by cool-season grass maintained with high intensity of culture by years after establishment. However, zoysiagrass field under low intensity of culture showed longer in ball rolling distance and higher in vertical ball rebound with time after establishment.

• ALGAE
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2002

Mechanisms of competition between two canopy algae and an understory alga were investigated by a field manipulative experiment using artificial thalli. The study was carried out in the upper intertidal zone at Nudibranch Point in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, where two fucoids, Fucus gardneri and Pelvetiopsis limitata, and a turf red alga, Mazzaella cornucopiae, were dominant in the algal community. The experiment was designed to test three hypotheses, shading, whiplash, and allelopathy, imposed by potential fucoid effects on M. cornucopiae. Only the shading effect was significant, indicating that adult fucoid thalli reduced. M. cornucopiae biomass underneath the fucoids. Results indicated that reversal of competitive dominance existed between F. gardneri and M. cornucopiae depending on the life history stage of the competitors. By including the turf alga's effects on the fucoids, the well-balanced and non-hierarchical interaction networks among the major macroalgae support the high likelihood of species coexistence in the community.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.128-131
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• 2015

Capsuloligamentous injury at the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is a common traumatic injury during physical activity, particularly on artificial turf. Mechanism of injury include excessive flexion, extension, or valgus stress. We report a non-operatively treated capsuloligamentous injury at the first MTP joint, which did not occur traumatically but developed by a stress-related mechanism in a collegiate rower.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.119-128
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• 2004

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of roof membrane on light environment that influence on turfgrass growth under domed stadium. Roof structure on experimental plot was constructed with PTFE and PE same as Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Tested turfgrass species were combinations of cool-season grasses(Kentucky Bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, $KBG80+PR20\%,\;KBG33+PR33+Fine fescue33\%)$ and warm-season grasses(zoysiagrass, 'An-yang middle-leaf, 'Zenith', Bermudagrass) established with seeding or sodding. The experimental set-up and research work were initiated November 1999 and finished on August 2000 at near Busan Asiad Main Stadium. By the result of computer simulation of daylight radiant energies on the turf surface were lower than needs of normal sport turf growth. The shortage of radiant resulted pest infection on cool-season grass mixture compared with warm-season. But turf color and density showed the best results on Kentucky bluegrass or its mixture plot. Over all the results showed that the best quality of turfgrass growth was occurred on full sun area, and the next was under PTFE membrane. The application of artificial lighting system may increase the turfgrass growth under domed stadium(partially) covered with roof membrane.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.91-100
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• 2010

To investigate the thermal properties of a water-retentive artificial turf system (W-ATS), we estimated hydrologic parameters including thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and surface albedo for both the W-ATS and natural grass. We used a model experiment to measure surface temperature and evaporation for both the W-ATS and natural grass. We found that the W-ATS had lower thermal conductivity than natural grass did, and it was difficult for the W-ATS to convey radiant heat to the ground. Compared to natural grass, the W-ATS also had lower heat capacity, which contributed to its larger variation in surface temperature: the W-ATS had higher surface temperatures during daytime and lower surface temperatures during nighttime. The albedo of the W-ATS was one-quarter that of natural grass, and reflected shortwave radiation from the W-ATS surface was lower than that from the surface of natural grass. These results indicate that the W-ATS caused the soil temperature to increase. Furthermore, evaporation from the W-ATS was one-quarter the value of evapotranspiration from natural grass.