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 Concerns about Crumb rubber as a safety surfacing
 
imgOfflinedflanigan
25 posts
5th
Joined
11/8/2006


Concerns about Crumb rubber as a safety surfacing
Posted: 03 Sep 08 9:24 AM Modified By alynsen on 9/3/2008 4:19:50 PM)

There was a recent article on the Channel 5 News in Seattle about crumb rubber being used a playground safety surfacing. 

The concern raised was about the potential of toxic substances being released by the rubber.  If you have had similar concerns or questions about this, please respond to this posting.
imgOfflinebob43
12 posts
Joined
4/12/2008


Re: Concerns about Crumb rubber as a safety surfacing
Posted: 01 Oct 08 12:26 AM Modified By bob43 on 10/1/2008 12:30:03 AM)
Shredded rubber tires are a petroleum based product. Decide for yourself if chidren's playgrounds are the best place to dispose of this toxic waste product.
imgOfflinerichleyhp
1 posts
Joined
8/22/2008


Re: Concerns about Crumb rubber as a safety surfacing
Posted: 02 Oct 08 1:17 PM
What I noticed in the article is that no one cited a single study or piece of credible research which definitely asserts that there is a proven risk of harm to children from shredded tires in a playground area. The many dozens of product manufacturers who actually bear the liability burden by claiming that the product is safe would be taking a foolish risk producing and shipping it if these fears were based in established fact. From all I have been able to learn, the main factually based concern about the rubber is that it will leach zinc into the ground in levels higher than that which occurs naturally (only in some parts of the country) and this zinc is harmful to flowering plants. I am satisfied that this is a concern for landscapers and home gardeners but not kids on the playground or their parents.  What the rubber surface has been proven to do is to greatly reduce the incidence of brain, dental and head trauma, broken bones and other injuries and it may do this better than any other surfacing option out there. I will be the first person to throw in the towel on all recycled rubber products from tires if somebody shows me the proof that there is real harm being done to children as a result of the use of this product in a playground. I know for certain that there is profound benefit.
imgOfflinebob43
12 posts
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Re: Concerns about Crumb rubber as a safety surfacing
Posted: 13 Oct 08 8:53 PM
It could take decades to come up with scientific prof shredded tires are a really bad idea. What I have found is that nobody ever keeps them as a ground cover of choice for more than a few years. The reasons are many, maintenance, poor disbursement, retaining water( usually black water from the oil), heat, fire, smell, metal shavings, swallowing, fine black powder on children's cloths being carried into school and home, leakage and in my area of the country if you are hauling more than 25 scrape tires at a time you need a Waste Haulers licence and permit.  The real question is: Do you want your child to be the lab rat for this experiment?
imgOfflinedflanigan
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Re: Concerns about Crumb rubber as a safety surfacing
Posted: 03 Nov 08 11:19 AM
The other concern that has been raised is whether shredded rubber is acessible.  I have walked across playgrounds that have shredded rubber and I have a difficult time.  Someone in a wheelchair would not be able to manevuer through it.
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