The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released results of a limited field monitoring study of artificial-turf playing fields and playgrounds constructed with recycled tire material or tire crumb that “do not point to a concern,” according to the agency.
“The limited data EPA collected during this study, which do not point to a concern, represent an important addition to the information gathered by various government agencies,” says Peter Grevatt, director of EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection. “The study will help set the stage for a meeting this spring, where EPA will bring together officials from states and federal agencies to evaluate the existing body of science on this topic and determine what additional steps should be taken to ensure the safety of kids who play on these surfaces.”
The study was intended to gain experience conducting field monitoring of recreational surfaces that contain tire crumb. EPA will use the information to help determine possible next steps to address questions regarding the safety of tire crumb infill in recreational fields.
Tire crumb has been used increasingly as a component in synthetic turf fields and playground installations. Responding to questions from the public, EPA conducted a limited “scoping study” of tire crumb, which consisted of collecting air and wipe samples at three locations near EPA laboratories at Raleigh, N.C.; Athens, Ga.; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Sampling also was conducted in the Washington, D.C. area.
The study, conducted in the summer and early fall of 2008, found that the concentrations of any materials deemed hazardous that made up tire crumb were below levels considered harmful. However, given the limited nature of the study (limited number of constituents monitored, sample sites, and samples taken at each site) and the wide diversity of tire crumb material, it is not possible, without additional data, to extend the results beyond the four study sites to reach more comprehensive conclusions, says the agency.
Among the study’s findings:
• Particulate matter, metals and volatile organic compound concentrations were measured in the air samples and compared with areas away from the turf fields (background levels). The levels found in-air samples from the artificial turf were similar to background levels.
• No tire-related fibers were observed in the air samples.
• All air concentrations of particulate matter and lead were well below levels of concern.
• More than 90 percent of the lead in the tire crumb material was tightly bound and unavailable for absorption by users of the turf fields.
• Zinc, which is a known additive in tires, was found in tire crumb samples. However, air and surface wipe monitoring levels of zinc were found to be below levels of concern.
More information on artificial turf studies and data can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/nerl/features/tire_crumbs.html .
Get curated news on YOUR industry.
Enter your email to receive our newsletters.
Latest from Recycling Today
- Mount Vernon, Ohio, city council tightens waste hauling regulations
- Retail associations sign MOU to form producer responsibility organization for textiles in California
- WM opens 12 recycling facilities in 2024
- Redwood Materials, GM aim to repurpose EV batteries for energy storage systems
- Talk of US tariff on copper imports contributes to COMEX volatility
- Plastics recyclers report difficult conditions
- Tomra: Tariffs causing equipment market uncertainty
- Ferrous traders see price stability continuing