As a parent, a trip to the playground can mean a lot of fun, but also a lot of worry. We worry about safety issues such as our child falling off equipment and getting hurt. But, what about the equipment and surface of the playground? Can these be harmful to our child’s health?According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, “the surfacing under and around playground equipment is one of the most important factors in reducing the likelihood of life-threatening head injuries.” There are several types of playground surface materials available: wood chips, shredded bark mulch, pea gravel, sand, and recycled rubber mulch and tiles. One of these options—rubber mulch made from recycled tires (also called “tire crumb”)—could be a health risk.
What is Tire Crumb?
Tire crumb is made from 100 percent clean, ground, recycled rubber tires. It can be used as a mulch material or bonded into a seamless surface. At first, it seems like a great, eco-friendly option since it is made from recycled product, but there have been some questions about its potential health effects.
Tire crumb is made from 100 percent clean, ground, recycled rubber tires. It can be used as a mulch material or bonded into a seamless surface. At first, it seems like a great, eco-friendly option since it is made from recycled product, but there have been some questions about its potential health effects.
Concerns
Some parents and communities are concerned that chemicals from tire crumb are leaching into the playground environment and off-gassing into the air. They think children could be touching, swallowing, and inhaling toxins, including lead, metals, benzene, zinc, and other particles.
Eco Child’s Play explained that “according to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), ground up tires release 49 different chemicals, including seven carcinogens. As the tire playground surfaces age and are exposed to light and heat, these chemicals, which include heavy metals, are released… ” Although, they also went on to explain that OEHHA believes the impact on a child’s health is minimal and would lead to nothing more than a stomachache.
Some parents and communities are concerned that chemicals from tire crumb are leaching into the playground environment and off-gassing into the air. They think children could be touching, swallowing, and inhaling toxins, including lead, metals, benzene, zinc, and other particles.
Eco Child’s Play explained that “according to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), ground up tires release 49 different chemicals, including seven carcinogens. As the tire playground surfaces age and are exposed to light and heat, these chemicals, which include heavy metals, are released… ” Although, they also went on to explain that OEHHA believes the impact on a child’s health is minimal and would lead to nothing more than a stomachache.
EPA's View
Last June, EPA researchers expressed some doubts about the safety of tire crumb, and called for more studies. Then on December 10, 2009, EPA released results of a limited field monitoring study of playing fields and playgrounds constructed with tire crumb. The study found that the concentrations of materials that made up tire crumb were below levels considered harmful. However, given the limited nature of the study, EPA says that it is not possible, without additional data, to reach more comprehensive conclusions.
According to Michael Firestone, Ph.D., Office of Children's Health Protection/USEPA, there is no new data available at this time. However, a meeting of federal and state agencies is scheduled for the end of June in which they will review all new study data and determine next steps for assessing the safety of tire crumb.
So, parents must now wait for more information. What are your thoughts on this issue?
Last June, EPA researchers expressed some doubts about the safety of tire crumb, and called for more studies. Then on December 10, 2009, EPA released results of a limited field monitoring study of playing fields and playgrounds constructed with tire crumb. The study found that the concentrations of materials that made up tire crumb were below levels considered harmful. However, given the limited nature of the study, EPA says that it is not possible, without additional data, to reach more comprehensive conclusions.
According to Michael Firestone, Ph.D., Office of Children's Health Protection/USEPA, there is no new data available at this time. However, a meeting of federal and state agencies is scheduled for the end of June in which they will review all new study data and determine next steps for assessing the safety of tire crumb.
So, parents must now wait for more information. What are your thoughts on this issue?
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