Image: Eric Sondheimer
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, August 31, 2015
EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
In several cases, the tiny pellets used in forming the base of the synthetic surfaces have melted under extreme heat, according to school and district officials.
"The pellets started melting," Richard Yi, El Camino Real athletic director , said of the Conquistadores' home field that was installed in 2010. "It gradually spread."
At Diego Rivera, which opened in 2011, former football coach Jim McElroy said, "Pellets were melting big time. It looked like a bunch of gum all over the place."
Hovatter said the pellets were supposed to withstand heat up to 180 degrees, but in tests had melted at 140 degrees. Synthetic fields absorb heat, resulting in surface temperatures much higher than measured in the surrounding air.