Scoping-Level Field Monitoring Study of Synthetic Turf Fields and Playgrounds

摘要

Recycled tire material, or tire crumb, is used as a component in many recreational fields, including synthetic turf fields and playgrounds. The use of tire crumbs in these applications provides several benefits, including reduced sports injury. The public recently has raised concerns regarding potential human health and environmental risks associated with the presence of and potential exposures to tire crumb constituents in recreational fields, especially with regard to children's exposures. In early 2008, U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 requested that the Agency consider this issue. A cross-EPA workgroup inventoried and considered the limited available scientific information: some laboratory studies of tire material content, off-gassing, and leaching characteristics and a few European studies describing the extent and availability of tire crumb constituents for potential human exposure. The workgroup recommended that research be conducted to generate additional field monitoring data for potential U.S. environmental conditions and potential exposures.