TIA Issues Position Statement On Use Of Crumb Rubber

Last month, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) issued a position statement reaffirming its position on the use of crumb rubber. The statement was developed by the Association’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC).

The benefits of recycling scrap tires have become clouded recently by media claims that recycled rubber may be harmful to people and the environment.

TIA’s EAC conducted an extensive review of the testing performed in the United States and overseas regarding the health and environmental effects of using crumb rubber. The EAC found that in every evaluation, researchers reached the same conclusion: crumb rubber used in artificial turf or as a playground surface poses no significant health or environmental risk.

“Each of these studies validated the position that crumb rubber poses no significant health or environmental risk. For this reason, the EAC and TIA support the continued use of crumb rubber in synthetic turf, athletic fields and playgrounds as well as other product applications,” TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield said. This year in response to ongoing media reports raising concerns about potential human health effects of crumb rubber.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard assessment (OEHHA) is conducting a three-year, $2.6 million study that aims to identify and evaluate possible chemical hazards presented by human exposure to crumb rubber. The study will also consider possible avenues of exposure to tire crumb including, breathing, accidental ingestion and skin contact.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are conducting joint research to determine key knowledge gaps; identify and characterize the chemical compounds found in tire crumb and how people are exposed to those compounds.

“TIA is concerned about the health and safety of consumers who use recycled tires and encourages consumers to know the facts about recycled rubber.,” TIA ‘s statement said. “The association and its members continue to welcome and support all additional scientific research,” the association said. At the same time, the association reaffirms its finding that existing studies show crumb rubber used in artificial turf or as a playground surface poses no significant health or environmental risk.”

The full position statement can be viewed at www.tireindustry.org

© Scrap Tire News, June 2016