Recycled Tires in Playground Recycled Tires in Playground and Track Surfacesand Track Surfaces

Charles Vidair, Ph.D., Staff Toxicologist/Principal InvestigatorCharles Vidair, Ph.D., Staff Toxicologist/Principal InvestigatorRobert Schlag, M.Sc., Research Scientist Supervisor/Project DirectorRobert Schlag, M.Sc., Research Scientist Supervisor/Project Director

Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentOffice of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

Purpose of Recycled Tire Playground Purpose of Recycled Tire Playground and Track Surface Studyand Track Surface Study

CIWMB demonstrates public health vision CIWMB demonstrates public health vision and ethical stewardship to ensure:and ethical stewardship to ensure:

Toxicologic SafetyToxicologic Safety from ingestion or dermal from ingestion or dermal contact.contact.

Physical Safety by preventing serious head injury from falls in the playground.

Survey of CIWMB GranteesSurvey of CIWMB Grantees

Profile of Playgrounds InstalledProfile of Playgrounds Installed

CIWMB Grantees in Bay Area CIWMB Grantees in Bay Area and Central Valleyand Central Valley

Pour-in-Place: 44Pour-in-Place: 44

Tiles: 4Tiles: 4

Shreds: 3Shreds: 3

Study ApproachStudy Approach

Measure chemicals released by:Measure chemicals released by: 1) shreds from loose-fill surfaces 1) shreds from loose-fill surfaces incubated in aqueous solution overnightincubated in aqueous solution overnight {simulates ingestion}{simulates ingestion} 2) wipe sampling of tile and pour-in-place2) wipe sampling of tile and pour-in-place surfaces {simulates hand-to-surface-to-mouthsurfaces {simulates hand-to-surface-to-mouth contact}contact}

Measure impact attenuation by all surfaces as a Measure impact attenuation by all surfaces as a predictor of head injurypredictor of head injury

Chemicals released by tire shreds Chemicals released by tire shreds in gastric digestion simulationin gastric digestion simulation

13 metals detected13 metals detected

11 organics detected11 organics detected

For a one-time ingestion of ten grams of For a one-time ingestion of ten grams of shreds adverse health effects considered shreds adverse health effects considered unlikelyunlikely

Chemicals detected by wipe Chemicals detected by wipe sampling P-I-P and tile surfacessampling P-I-P and tile surfaces

10 metals detected10 metals detected

6 organics detected6 organics detected

For playground use 185 days/year for 11 For playground use 185 days/year for 11 years (age 1 to 12) adverse health effects years (age 1 to 12) adverse health effects considered unlikely due to chronic hand-considered unlikely due to chronic hand-to-surface-to-mouth activityto-surface-to-mouth activity

Skin sensitization testingSkin sensitization testing

Performed by a testing laboratoryPerformed by a testing laboratory

Guinea pig skin sensitization testGuinea pig skin sensitization test

No skin reactions observed suggesting No skin reactions observed suggesting such reactions unlikely in children using such reactions unlikely in children using these surfacesthese surfaces

Fall Height vs HIC

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Fall height in feet

HIC

HIC standard compliance rates for HIC standard compliance rates for playground surfacesplayground surfaces

% passing HIC% passing HICRubber surfaceRubber surface 31% (10/32)31% (10/32)P-I-PP-I-P 31% (8/26)31% (8/26)TilesTiles 25% (1/4)25% (1/4)ShredsShreds 50% (1/2)50% (1/2)

Wood chip surfaceWood chip surface 100% (5/5)100% (5/5)

HIC versus Surface Age(3 locations on a single P-I-P surface)

500

600

700

800

900

0 20 40 60 80

Days Post-Installation

HIC

73 F 68 F 75 F

HIC vs fall height at two surface temperatures

(one location on a single P-I-P surface)

400

800

1200

1600

2000

4 5 6 7 8 9

Fall height in feet

HIC 49 F

108 F

Playground test results: the LAUSD experiencePlayground test results: the LAUSD experience(not part of OEHHA/CIWMB study)(not part of OEHHA/CIWMB study)

Did not use current ASTM standard at time of testing (only made 3 Did not use current ASTM standard at time of testing (only made 3 measurements/playground).measurements/playground).

300 rubberized surfaces installed in last 2-3 years with only 2 300 rubberized surfaces installed in last 2-3 years with only 2 failuresfailures

8 foot max on fall height8 foot max on fall height

No swingsNo swings

Testing always performed immediately following installationTesting always performed immediately following installation

Conclusion: testing works!Conclusion: testing works!

RecommendationsRecommendations

Obtain warranty that surface will meet the Obtain warranty that surface will meet the standards-test the surface after installationstandards-test the surface after installationTest surface during the warmest time of Test surface during the warmest time of daydayConsider bright, reflective colors to reduce Consider bright, reflective colors to reduce the high surface temperatures that can the high surface temperatures that can develop during hot daysdevelop during hot daysConsider installing a thicker surface that Consider installing a thicker surface that significantly exceeds the standardsignificantly exceeds the standard

Unresolved IssuesUnresolved Issues

Does rubberized playground surface softness change Does rubberized playground surface softness change over time (years)?over time (years)?Do rubberized playground surfaces prevent or increase Do rubberized playground surfaces prevent or increase long-bone injuries?long-bone injuries?How do findings in CIWMB contract-funded playgrounds How do findings in CIWMB contract-funded playgrounds compare to a broad sampling of other playgrounds, e.g. compare to a broad sampling of other playgrounds, e.g. southern/northern Cal, sand, and wood chips?southern/northern Cal, sand, and wood chips?Fine rubber crumb in indoor and outdoor artificial turf Fine rubber crumb in indoor and outdoor artificial turf fields:fields:– What is its composition and particle size differentiation?What is its composition and particle size differentiation?– Can individual exposure be measured and is it inhaled during Can individual exposure be measured and is it inhaled during

play?play?– Does it pose a toxic risk?Does it pose a toxic risk?