Study Finds No Difference in Exposure to Metals, PAHs, Air Emissions

A federal, multi-agency research initiative today released a report examining sport players’ chemical exposure on synthetic turf fields using crumb rubber infill – finding no difference in exposure to certain chemicals, metals, or air emissions among players regardless of whether the playing field was synthetic with crumb rubber infill or grass. This study – the largest of its kind conducted in the United States – adds a powerful new resource to the body of literature demonstrating that recycled rubber is a win for the public and the environment.

"Safety has always been one of our top priorities for the public, our employees, and the environment,” said Thomas Womble, CEO of Liberty Tire Recycling. “I want to thank the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies that have worked on this project to help reassure the public about the use of recycled rubber."

The report examined the potential for human exposure to chemicals associated with crumb rubber made from recycled tires, specifically regarding organic chemicals, metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The report concluded there is little to no difference between measurements taken from players using fields with crumb rubber infill versus players using grass fields. They found air emissions were "not different," concentrations for metals were "similar to those in the general public," and there were "no differences" for PAHs.

The report also found that when looking at four specific chemicals – pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, zinc, and lead – players who use synthetic turf fields with crumb rubber have exposure levels "similar to, or somewhat lower" or even "substantially lower" than the public. These results indicate that players are seeing no greater levels of exposure to these chemicals than non-players – reaffirming similar studies that have concluded there is no elevated health risk and no reason to advise people against playing sports on synthetic turf containing recycled rubber.

“Although chemicals are present (as expected) in the tire crumb rubber and exposures can occur,” the report concludes, “they are likely limited."

The Federal Research Action Plan on the Use of Tire Crumbs in Playing Fields was launched in 2016 to help address concerns about the use of crumb rubber infill. The report's findings are the result of a multi-agency effort including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The report can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/tcrs-exposure-characterization-volume-1.pdf

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