Comment
leached from the tyre crumbs. Zinc was the predominant metal, but selenium, lead and cadmium were also identified. Some of the compounds identified are either known or suspected carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on
Cancer’s study of the rubber industry found strong and sufficient evidence for cancer in humans in a series of epidemiology studies of rubber fabrication facilities throughout the world. Cancer was also found in some other locations, but the data on exposures were insufficient to attribute a specific work task or exposure to the cancer. The EHH concluded that the toxic actions
of concern from the materials being released from recycled rubber crumb include:
- severe irritation of the respiratory system
- severe irritation of the eyes, skin and mucous membranes
- systemic effects on the liver and kidneys - neurotoxic responses - allergic reactions -cancers - developmental effects
Those findings alone should be enough to
raise concerns, but apparently not. So here’s a few more. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH - again in the USA) noted the following: Rubber crumb contains a cocktail of toxic
chemicals, including benzothiazole, carbon black and heavy metals. As the Mt. Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center has written: “Exposures to chemicals present in crumb rubber at very high levels are known to cause birth defects, neurologic and developmental deficits, and some can even cause cancer.” “Children are particularly vulnerable to
toxic threats. Children have increased exposure to toxic chemicals due to the unique way they interact with their environment. Because they are growing and developing, their bodies are also more susceptible than adults to chemical exposures.”
“Crumb rubber contains benzothiazole, which exerts acute toxicity and is a respiratory irritant and a dermal sensitiser. Carbon black, which makes up 20-40% of crumb rubber, has been identified as a cancer-causing chemical by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Another concern is allergic reactions to the latex in crumb rubber.” “Unfortunately, children’s exposure to
these chemicals whilst using artificial turf fields has not been adequately studied. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in its most recent evaluation of its study of rubber crumb, determined that it was not possible for the agency to reach comprehensive conclusions without the consideration of additional data.” The CEH state, quite categorically, that the
health of children is important enough to take action now. The California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery bases its tyre management strategy upon supporting the production and use of recycled tyre products whilst “providing a strong and fair regulatory framework to protect public health and safety and the environment.” Whilst the CEH agree with and support this mission, the use of recycled tyres in children’s playgrounds and playing fields runs contrary to this goal. The CEH now recommends that schools,
when feasible, replace rubber crumb infill with infill made from natural materials. Their recommendation is similar to those in New York City, which currently uses alternatives to rubber crumb infill in its new turf installations, and the Los Angeles Unified School District, which removed rubber crumb from play areas for young children. If the resources to replace infill are not
available, say the CEH, there are a number of ways to reduce exposures. Turf fields should not be used on extremely hot days and students should be monitored for heat- induced illness and abrasions. All rubber crumb pellets should be removed from students’ clothing, bodies and equipment after playing. Students should always wash
their hands thoroughly after exposure to the rubber crumb and never lie down or eat on the field.
Ringing alarm bells yet? Well, clearly not in the UK where there is
little or no current research being undertaken into the health hazards posed by rubber crumb. In fact, the HSE state quite clearly on their website that; “historically, there used to be an excess of bladder cancer in rubber industry workers. This was associated with the antioxidant beta-naphthylamine, which was banned in the 1950s. There have also been links from rubber dust and fumes to stomach and lung cancers in the past. However, more recent studies have shown that increased risks to cancers are no longer present in the rubber industry.” They also state: “chopping and grinding of
tyres produces a low density, porous material through which air may percolate. The total surface area of tyre chips or crumb particles may also be large compared with the volume occupied. The combination of permeability to air-flow and a high exposed surface area means that that a combustible material, such as rubber, is potentially susceptible to spontaneous combustion”; further stating “spontaneous ignition of large stockpiles of tyre shred or deep landfill deposits has occurred on numerous occasions. Finely shredded tyres are more susceptible because of the increased surface area available for reaction”. What? Are they seriously allowing this
product to be utilised in the UK unchallenged? Surely there is now enough scientific evidence to suggest otherwise. This is not the conjecture of the climate change brigade that use words such as ‘might cause’ or ‘could happen’, but proven facts. But, if it’s conjecture you want - or further evidence, take your pick - then consider the following:
In 2014, Amy Griffin, head soccer coach for
the University of Washington, began to question whether it was the chemicals in the rubber crumb in synthetic turf that were making goalies that she had coached, as well
There are serious concerns about the health risks to children exposed to rubber crumb. Why is no one in the UK taking it seriously?
PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016 I 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148