Should NH ban the use of recycled tire rubber on playgrounds?

Rep. Mindi Messmer is sponsoring a 2018 bill that would prohibit the use of recycled tire rubber on playgrounds.

In the early 2000s child safety advocates, the tire industry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all encouraged the use of ground up tires, also called crumb rubber, for playground and athletic field surfaces.

Since then opinions have changed, and there is growing concern that tire mulch exposes children to cancer-causing chemicals.

Growing cause for concern

There are no conclusive studies that show a link between recycled tire rubber and cancer, but there are definitely many chemicals in tires that could potentially cause cancer.

A 2015 Yale study found eleven known cancer-causing chemicals in fourteen samples of tire mulch. 

There are also many anecdotal reports that link recycled tire rubber to cancer. For example, Amy Griffin, associate head coach for the University of Washington’s women’s soccer team, noticed a pattern of soccer goalies getting cancer. She thinks goalies are impacted in particular because they come into contact with the field more often than other players. 

Science unclear, benefits known

Supporters of recycled tire mulch emphasize that there is still no conclusive scientific study linking recycled tires to cancer.

According to the EPA website, "Current information from a number of studies does not show an elevated health risk from playing on fields with tire crumb." 

The EPA has begun a larger research study on the impact of tire mulch.

There are known benefits to tire mulch, however. It offers a more absorbent surface for children, decreasing the number of injuries on playgrounds. Recycling also keeps tires out of landfills.

Do you support a ban on tire mulch on playgrounds? Share your opinion in the comments.