EHHI's Op-Ed in response to ground-up used rubber tires in toddler playgrounds


Environment and Human Health Inc. (EHHI) has written this Op-Ed in response to the number of toddler playgrounds that are installing ground-up used rubber tires.

Rubber Mulch is Not Safe for Children's Playgrounds

The robust smell of of "rubber mulch" that is often referred to when new playscapes are unveiled around the country is unfortunately exactly what the problem is with putting young children on playgrounds that contain ground-up used rubber tire mulch.

Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI) has been, and remains, extremely concerned about the ground-up rubber tire mulch that is being placed in our youngest children's environment—their playscapes. The children not only play on the ground-up used tires—they often play in the ground-up tires, using it much like sand.

Why is using rubber mulch a problem in playgrounds?

Rubber mulch is made up of ground-up used rubber tires that in some states are considered a "hazardous waste," and in other states are considered a "special waste." Whatever the case, used rubber tires are certainly not a material that children should play on.

Why is rubber playground mulch a serious problem?

Rubber mulch gets extremely hot in warm weather. The heat causes the toxins in the rubber tire mulch to outgas and become an exposure for the children who play on it. As well, the heat component of hot rubber is very hard for young children to tolerate.

Some of the chemicals that can be found in rubber tires are:

Benzene: Carcinogen, Developmental Toxicant, Reproductive Toxicant

Phthalates: Suspected Developmental Toxicant, Endocrine Toxicant, Reproductive Toxicant

PAHs: Suspected Cardiovascular or Blood Toxicant, Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant, Reproductive Toxicant ,Respiratory Toxicant,

Manganese: Gastrointestinal or liver toxicants

Carbon Black: Carcinogen

Latex: Causes allergic reactions in some people

Benzothiazole: Skin and eye irritant

Butylated hydroxyanisole: Recognized carcinogen and suspected endocrine toxicant

n-hexadecane: Severe irritant, based on human and animal studies

4-(t-octyl) phenol: Corrosive and destructive to mucous membranes

Zinc: There is a very large amount of zinc added in the manufacture of tires

The companies producing and selling this product do not explain where the rubber mulch comes from or the dangers it presents to children. Rubber tires that have always been so hard to dispose of are now being turned into a profitable industry—but at whose expense?

Recycling is good—but there are certain things that should not be recycled. We should not recycle asbestos, we should not recycle lead, and we certainly should not be recycling rubber tires where children play.

Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI) is a nine-member, non-profit organization composed of doctors, public health professionals and policy experts. It is dedicated to protecting human health from environmental harms through research, education and improving public policy.

EHHI's support comes only from foundations and committed individuals. EHHI does not receive any funds from businesses or corporations.

Nancy Alderman, President
Environment and Human Health, Inc.
http://www.ehhi.org