Ecore says study backs crumb rubber use on sports surfaces

Ecore International says a newly released study from the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) found no significant health risks associated with exposure to crumb rubber infill used on synthetic turf fields.

Ecore, which is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and processes and uses reclaimed rubber materials from end-of-life tires (ELTs) and into several products, said the findings reinforce the safety of recycled rubber materials widely used in sports and recreation environments.

The study evaluated potential health risks to athletes, coaches, referees and spectators using synthetic turf fields containing recycled rubber.

The company says the researchers examined multiple exposure pathways across users ranging in age from two to 70 years old, and the report determined that exposure to crumb rubber infill did not result in significant noncancer health hazards and that cancer risks associated with the material were insignificant for field users.

“This study adds to a growing body of scientific research confirming that recycled rubber materials can be used safely in sports and recreational environments,” says Jeff Coté, president and chief operating officer of Ecore.

“For decades, recycled rubber has helped deliver durable, high-performance surfaces while also diverting millions of end-of-life tires from landfills. Independent studies like this reinforce the important role recycled materials play in building safe, sustainable spaces for communities.”

The study, commissioned by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), represents one of the most extensive analyses conducted on recycled rubber surfaces, according to Ecore. The research examined 35 fields over a nine-year period and involved collaboration between several state agencies.

Ecore says the findings are consistent with dozens of peer-reviewed studies, including a joint federal study conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Recycled rubber surfaces are used in a range of athletic, fitness and recreational applications, including indoor training facilities, fitness centers, playgrounds, running tracks and sports fields.

“In addition to performance benefits such as shock absorption and durability, recycled rubber materials support circular economy initiatives by giving new life to discarded tires and other rubber products,” Ecore says.

The 189-page OEHHA report, “Human Health Risk Assessment of Artificial Turf Fields Containing Crumb Rubber Infill,” is available online through the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment website.

Ecore serves customers in more than 75 countries, offering technologies and solutions for many industries, including rubber reclamation services, rubber materials, commercial and performance flooring, play surfacing, industrial components, transportation and agricultural products.