Shredded tyres in playgrounds could be toxic risk

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has published internal documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that show the watchdog does not know the extent to which children may be exposed to the toxic chemicals that are used in the manufacture of tyres.

Every year in the US hundreds of thousands of tyres are recycled into ground rubber which is used to reduce injuries from falls.

But PEER is concerned about the lack of information on the potential toxicity of the material, pointing out that hazardous materials such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and hydrocarbons are used in the production of the original tyres.

“Kids roll around in this stuff, put it into their mouths and rub it into their skin and hair,” said PEER executive director Jeff Ruch, pointing out that tire crumbs are often painted in bright colors enticing to very young children.

“Despite the growing concerns of its own scientists, EPA has issued no public statement of caution and still promotes tire crumbs in playgrounds.”

He said the EPA has embraced a supposed ‘win-win’ solution for a solid waste problem without considering potential side effects.

He claimed the documents PEER had obtained show:

David Gibbs