Recommendations
- There is enough information now concerning the potential health effects from chemicals
emanating from rubber tire crumbs to place a moratorium on installing any new fields or
playgrounds that use ground-up rubber tires until additional research is undertaken.
- Exposures to already installed synthetic turf fields that contain ground-up rubber tire
crumbs should be limited, pending the development of additional human exposure
information.
- Synthetic turf fields should not be used on very warm days, as they can become
extremely hot, sometimes reaching 140 degrees F.
- People who have a history of asthma or other allergic reactions should be careful when
using fields or playgrounds containing ground-up rubber tires until additional
information is available to assure that the released materials will not cause allergic
reactions.
- People who are allergic to latex should be especially careful when using these fields or
playgrounds because some rubber tires contain large amounts of latex.
- When weighing children’s exposures to ground-up rubber tires, efforts to reduce their
exposures over time should be considered.
- States should consider a detailed analysis of all health and environmental risk factors from
recycled rubber tires in all their proposed uses.
- An epidemiological study of health effects, including skin irritation and allergic
responses, should be conducted.
- The North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s study shows that ground-up rubber tire
mulch increases the potential of zinc toxicity and indicates that it is unsuitable for use in
production of nursery plants. Therefore, EHHI is in agreement with this study and
others that recommend ground-up rubber tire mulch not be used for gardens.
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