RMA Study Says Play Fields are Safe

A new study by the RMA says that athletic fields and playgrounds constructed with scrap tire-derived ground rubber “pose no adverse human or ecological health effects.”

“We believe this report will add to the growing body of evidence showing that the use of scrap tire rubber in these applications is not only safe, but has several major safety benefits,” said Michael Blumenthal, RMA vice president. “This report has reviewed the worldwide wealth of knowledge on this topic and we are hopeful that it will contribute to correcting any misperceptions about tire rubber in the environment.”

RMA said that recycled tire rubber is widely used as an infill material for synthetic sports fields and as a floor cover for playgrounds. In recent years, a number of outside critics, however, have suggested the ground rubber might pose health problems to those using such facilities.

RMA said that some 13 million scrap tires are used in these applications annually. (Tire Review/Akron)