Perfect Rubber Mulch is a member of IPEMA and they just released the test results for using recycled rubber products in playgrounds. This should put to rest all the unfounded rumors that pop up and circulate the internet from time to time. RUBBER MULCH IS SAFE!

FOR IMMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1-12-10

Contact:

Denise R. Calabrese, Executive Director

info@ipema.org

717-238-1744

Association Releases Information Regarding Use of Recycled Rubber on Playgrounds

HARRISBURG - Recently, media reports have raised questions about the use of recycled

rubber on playgrounds. As a leader of the play equipment and related materials industry, the

International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) investigated various studies

and reports related to this issue. The investigations revealed the following facts:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently studied air and surface samples at four

fields and playgrounds that use recycled tires – the same material that cushions the ground

under the Obama family’s new play set at the White House. The limited study, conducted in

August through October 2008, found that the concentrations of materials that made up tire

crumb were below levels considered harmful. In addition, the overall study protocol and many

of the methods were found to be appropriate and could be implemented in the field.

(The details of the EPA’s study can be found at http://www.epa.gov/nerl/features/tire_crumbs.html)

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of the California Environmental

Protection Agency tested skin sensitization by playground surfaces made of recycled tires and

found no sensitization observed suggesting that these surfaces would not cause skin

sensitization in children, nor would they be expected to elicit skin reaction in children already

sensitized to latex.

(Study dated January 2007 can be viewed at: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Publications/Tires/62206013.pdf)

ChemRisk, Inc. in Pittsburgh conducted a review of exposure to recycled tire rubber found on

playgrounds and synthetic turf fields. They concluded that no adverse human health or

ecological health effects are likely to result from these beneficial reuses of tire materials.

(Study dated July 17, 2008. Detailed information and more studies can be found at

http://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=91)

(more)

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A comprehensive review of the available literature on the potential health effects of crumb

rubber infill from synthetic turf fields was conducted by TRC on behalf of the New York City

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. This review demonstrated that the major health

concern of these fields is related to heat. Eleven different risk assessments applied various

available concentrations of COPCs and none identified an increased risk for human health

effects as a result of ingestion, dermal or inhalation exposure to crumb rubber.

(Study dated May 2008 can be reviewed by visiting

www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/eode/turf_report_05-08.pdf)

IPEMA does not dictate or recommend whether its members use recycled rubber in their

products. It is the choice of the individual member. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) determines and guides the safety issues facing the playground equipment

industry. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has endorsed the use of

recycled rubber to cushion the surfaces of children’s playgrounds. For more information, visit

http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/tools/cpg/products/playgrnd.htm.

IPEMA encourages its members to follow the guidelines of the CPSC. IPEMA will respond

appropriately if the CPSC or EPA identifies recycled tire rubber as a play hazard. The CPSC,

the Centers for Disease Control and the EPA recommend that young children wash their hands

frequently after playing outside and always before they eat. IPEMA also recommends these

practices. IPEMA is always interested in reviewing new safety information, including any

independent, third party, scientific studies concerning the use of recycled tires. IPEMA will be

monitoring the EPA 2010 meeting with federal and state agencies that will review all new

study data and determine next steps.

IPEMA provides a voluntary third-party product certification to ASTM safety standards in the

U.S. and Canada for playground products, including surfacing materials. Those interested in

learning more about play equipment and surfacing safety are encouraged to visit

www.ipema.org.

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In properly maintained playground applications, rubber mulch will reduce the occurrence of fall injuries. Please note that rubber mulch can only HELP REDUCE injuries from falls not prevent them.

What is ADA Compliant

ADA compliant-Has been certified by a testing facility for wheelchair accessibility. Some of our mulch manufactures have ADA compliant material, others do not. If you are seeking grant monies you may be required to have ADA certified mulch. If you do not need wheel chair accessibility any of our mulches will meet ASTM safety standards.

ADA Standards - Rubber mulch provides superior shock absorption well within the established ASTM criteria and the environment becomes ADA compliant when a handicap accessible walkway is installed between the handicap parking area and the equipment transfer station.  This can be accomplished by installing a macadam path from the parking area to the playground perimeter, then installing an ADA compatible walkway to the playground transfer station or ramp. (Keep in mind that you must have a compliant walkway that wheel chairs can navigate through the mulch to the playground equipment. All of our mulch is playground compliant. As you can see ADA compliant mulch is just one component of being ADA compliant when reading the requirements. Wheel chairs do not have to navigate through the mulch itself according to the wording here. )

 

Who Is Saying Rubber Mulch Is Safe

	EPA- by test results
	Consumer Product Safety Commission- by test results
	ASTM Council- by test results
	Mayo Clinic- by test results
	Visit our blog on rubber mulch safety BLOG

Who Is Using Rubber Mulch

	US Government for military training pits and playgrounds on bases
	Most state school playgrounds
	Most daycares
	Public municipal playgrounds and landscapes
	Department of Transportation walls along highways
	Equestrian arenas across the US
	The Obama's on their children's playground at the White House

We feel we can no longer sit back while certain groups send out false alarms regarding rubber mulch. There is much being said in the media lately regarding rubber mulch "possibly" being unsafe. There are words like "maybe", "possibly",  "could", without one scrap of data to substantiate the suggestions. They are not offering any data to support this, just opinions based on no data. As a matter of FACT all the testing done on rubber mulch has been to the contrary. You will see some of that below. The EPA has issued its seal of approval on rubber mulch, Consumer Safety Council and so many state school districts across the nation that are too numerous to mention.

When you think about what they are suggesting, common sense will tell you that if rubber mulch were bad for children we could never even let them play in yards that butt up to streets where tires experience more wear and tear along our roads than any playground will ever experience. By their definition every roadside in America would be an EPA hazardous waste dump as well as the homes next to them. At Perfect Rubber Mulch we feel anyone buying any equipment for a play set should do their homework on the play set right for their children right down to the safety surface. Rubber mulch continues to be mandated among schools and daycares as being the safest surface available you can use in a playground for falls.

Click here to see if there are any rubber mulch or recycled tire grants available for your organization:  Rubber Mulch Grants. See our fantastic bulk pricing! Rubber mulch has been tested by reputable private and government agencies to be a completely safe alternative to bark mulches. Read the facts below that support rubber mulch as a safe mulch for all your playground needs.

In properly maintained playground applications, rubber mulch will reduce the occurrence of fall injuries. Please note that rubber mulch can only HELP REDUCE injuries from falls not prevent them. Not sure about regulations for public playgrounds read the CPSC playground safety handbook

Playgrounds can be a source of great happiness and joy for children. However, they can also be a 
source of injury. To minimize injuries from trips and falls, especially falls from equipment, playgrounds are being equipped with shock absorbing surfaces under and around equipment. While various materials provide shock protection, some of the most protective surfaces are being provided by scrap rubber derived materials. There have been questions or concerns raised about tire derived materials being used for playground cover. This Briefing Sheet is intended to provide answers to these questions. The information provided below is taken from a variety of sources, including State & Federal agencies, laboratories contracted by State agencies, research hospitals, licensed testing companies and rubber manufacturers. 

Two types of rubber playground surfacing material are on the market today: loose fill and solid mats. Loose fill generally consists of chips of rubber ranging from one half inch to three quarters inch in size. All non-rubber materials are removed, and the chips are washed before being placed on the play ground. Rubber, does not contain asbestos nor fiberglass as reinforcement fibers. 

Safety Value of Scrap Rubber Material as a Playground Cover: 

According to the Mayo Clinic (Mayo Health O@sis, May, 1998), about 70 percent of playground injuries are a 
result of falls. The Consumers Product Safety Commission recommends that "hard surfacing materials, such 
as asphalt or concrete, are unsuitable for use under and around playground equipment of any height unless 
they are required as a base of for a shock absorbing unitary material such as a rubber mat." (CPSC document 
1005). The CPSC defines unitary materials as "...generally rubber mats or a combination of rubber-like 
materials held in place by a binder that may be pour in place at the playground site and cures to form a 
unitary shock absorbing surface." (CPSC document 1005). 

Shock Attenuation: 

The Mayo Clinic recommendation is to use playground mating/flooring that "gives", such as rubber. The 
State of Illinois conducted a direct comparison between scrap tire rubber and other loose fill playground 
surfacing materials at a depth of six inches. It is reported that wire-free scrap tire chips have roughly twice 
the cushioning effect of other material. (Report to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community 
Affairs, January 1994). 

Critical Heights for a 6 Inch Uncompressed Layer* 

Wood Mulch          5 feet 

Fine Sand             5 feet 

Medium Gravel     7 feet 

Rubber Chips       12 feet 

Rubber shreds/chip data from the Illinois Department of Energy & Natural Resources. Measured in 
accordance with ASTM F12-93 and ASTM F355-86. Data on other materials from U.S. Consumer 
Product Safety Commission, CPSC Document 1005. 

*According to the testing criteria, the higher the height, the safer the material. Flammability: 

Rubber chips were tested in 1995 in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substance Act (16 CFR 1500.44) 
to determine whether this material would be considered "flammable" (a material is considered flammable 
if it ignites and burns with a self-sustained flame at a rate greater than 0.1 inches per second along its major 
axis). From the test results it was concluded that scrap rubber material is considered non-flammable. 

Other Advantages of Wire-Free Scrap Rubber Chips: 

Clean and non-toxic 

Does not produce toxic leachate 

Resilient 

Does not attract or maintain moisture   

Economical, lasts for years 

Reduces dust and mud around playing area 

Does not attract cats, dogs, rodents or insects 

Will not rot or decay 

Not susceptible to reduced performance due to rainy weather or freezing temperatures 

What if a Child Swallows a Rubber Chip? 

In 1994 the Maryland Environmental Services (MES) put this question to a series of tests. At the MES 
request, a testing laboratory subjected 3/4 inch pieces of rubber chips to hydrochloric acid (stomach 
acid). "Visual examination of insoluble residue appeared to indicate only fibrous reinforcing strands 
were dissolved by the hydrochloric acid. The tire rubber did not appear to be affected in any way; i.e. 
chalking, cracking, spauling, fracturing, etc." (PSI report No. 486-40013-001). What does this mean? If a
 piece of rubber is swallowed, it should not cause any acute or chronic problems. Short-term issues, 
such as an upset stomach will be a function of the amount of rubber swallowed. As to the fate of the 
rubber chips swallowed, they are eventually evacuated from the body, just like any other non-digestible 
material. 

Additional Information: 

For further information on playground safety, contact the Consumers Product Safety Commission, 
Washington. DC 20207; http://www.cpsc.gov. We suggest obtaining their publication on Playground 
Surfacing Materials, CPSC Document #1005. The STMC is not-for-profit, advocacy organization, founded 
and supported by the United States based rubber manufacturers. The Council is part of the Rubber 
Manufacturers Association, the trade association representing the United States rubber industry. 
The Council’s primary function is to assist in the promotion and development of environmental sound 
and cost efficient markets for the scrap rubber generated in the United States. 

Playground Installation Specifications

Proper Playground Equipment Placement

The use zone for each piece of equipment is made up of two parts:

	The Fall Zone: an area under and around the equipment where protective surfacing is required, and,
	The No-Encroachment Zone: an additional area beyond the fall zone where children using the equipment can be expected to move about and should have no encroaching obstacles.

With the exception of spring rocking equipment, equipment under 24 inches in height, and the zone between adjacent swings (see below), the fall zones of adjacent pieces of equipment should not overlap. However, adjacent pieces of equipment may share a single no-encroachment zone.

Regardless of the type of equipment, the use zone should be free of obstacles that children could run into or fall on top of and thus be injured. For example, there should not be any vertical posts or other objects protruding from the ground onto which a child may fall.

Recommendations for Fall Zone

Stationary Equipment

The fall zone should extend a minimum of 6 feet in all directions from the perimeter of the equipment.

Slides

The fall zone in front of the access and to the sides of a slide shall extend a minimum of 6 feet from the perimeter of the equipment. Note: This does not apply to embankment slides.

The fall zone in front of the exit of a slide shall extend a minimum distance of 6 feet from the end of the slide chute or for a distance of H + 4 feet whichever is the greater. H is the height of the slide platform and the H + 4 foot measurement is made from a point on the slide chute where the gradient has been reduced to 5o from the horizontal (see Figure 16).


Shaded Area Denotes Fall Zone with Protective Surfacing


Figure 16 Fall Zone for Slides

Single Axis Swings

Because children may deliberately attempt to exit from a single axis swing while it is in motion, the fall zone in front of and behind the swing should be greater than to the sides of such a swing. It is recommended that the fall zone extend to the front and rear of a single axis swing a minimum distance of 2 times the height of the pivot point above the surfacing material measured from a point directly beneath the pivot on the supporting structure (see Figure 17). The fall zone to the sides of a single axis swing should follow the general recommendation and extend a minimum of 6 feet from the perimeter of the swing structure in accordance with the general recommendation for fall zones. This 6 foot zone may overlap that of an adjacent swing structure.


Shaded Area Denotes Fall Zone with Protective Surfacing


Figure 17 Fall Zone for Single Axis Swings

Multi Axis Swings

The fall zone should extend in any direction from a point directly beneath the pivot point for a minimum distance of 6 feet + the length of the suspending members (see Figure 18). In addition, the fall zone shall extend a minimum of 6 feet from the perimeter of the supporting structure. This 6 foot zone may overlap that of an adjacent swing structure.

Merry-Go-Rounds

The fall zone should extend 6 feet beyond the perimeter of the platform.

Spring Rocking Equipment

The fall zone should extend a minimum of 6 feet from the "at rest" perimeter of the equipment but adjacent spring rockers with a maximum seat height of 24 inches may share the same fall zone.

Composite Equipment

The above recommendations for individual pieces of equipment should be used as a guide in establishing the fall zones around pieces of composite playground equipment. Note that in Section 9.2.2 it was recommended that single axis swings not be a part of a composite structure.


Shaded Area Denotes Fall Zone with Protective


Figure 18 Fall Zone for Multi Axis Tire Swings

Recommendations for No-Encroachment Zone

No specific dimensions can be recommended for the noencroachment zone around individual pieces of playground equipment. These dimensions will vary according to the types of adjacent pieces of equipment and their orientation with respect to one another.

For example, the recommended fall zone at the side of both a slide and a swing is 6 feet. Since fall zones should not overlap (with the exception of certain adjacent spring rockers), a slide could be placed with its side no closer than 12 feet to the side of a swing. Therefore, there may be no need to add an additional no-encroachment zone. Conversely, it would not be desirable to have a slide exit facing the front or rear of single axis swing.

No-encroachment zones extending beyond the fall zones are recommended for moving equipment or equipment from which the child is in motion as he or she exits. This allows more space for children to regain their balance upon exiting the equipment and also provides added protection against other children running into a moving part.

For a single axis swing, it is recommended that there be a barrier beyond the fall zone in front of the swing if it is located in a playground facing other pieces of equipment.

Information Source:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/327.html visit the CPSC site at this link for more information.

This article is a excerpt from the "Handbook for Public Playground Safety", Pub. No. 325
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207.

 Toxicity

Rubber mulch is considered non-toxic.  MSDS Sheets for key components available upon request.  Based on Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) conducted on scrap tire chips (method 1311 of USEPA), the following trace metal elements were determined to be significantly lower than regulatory threshold limits:  Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Lb), Selenium (Sc), and Silver (Ag).  Source:  Criteria of Selecting Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) Tests to Characterize Special Wastes, Dr. Chih-Shin Shieh, Florida Institute of Technology, June 30, 2001 .Oral ingestion is deemed to be low in overall hazard because ingestion of tire crumb on the ground is not likely, and the gastrointestinal tract is unlikely to be efficient in extracting toxic chemicals from tire crumb.  Tire crumb does not contain chemicals with high vapor pressures; thus, exposure via inhalation is deemed inconsequential and the resulting hazard negligible.  Dermal exposure is deemed to be unlikely and therefore to present low overall hazard.  A carrier solvent more efficient than water would be needed to extract toxic chemicals from tire crumb in quantity, and a suitable non-polar vehicle would be required to penetrate protective skin layers for significant absorption.  This was deemed implausible in a playground situation.  Cancer hazard as measured by relevant in vitro predictive assays, was deemed negative.  Ingestion of small amounts of tire crumb by small children will not result in an unacceptable hazard of contracting cancer.  Source:  Toxicological Evaluation for the Hazard Assessment of Tire Crumb for Use in Public Playgrounds, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2003.In 1994 the Maryland Environmental Services (MES) sent 3/4 inch pieces of tire chips to a testing laboratory to be tested with hydrochloric acid (stomach acid). "Visual examination of insoluble residue appeared to indicate only fibrous reinforcing strands were dissolved by the hydrochloric acid.  The tire rubber did not appear to be affected in any way; i.e. chalking, cracking, spauling, fracturing, etc." (PSI report No. 486-40013-001).  Therefore, if a piece of rubber is swallowed, it should not cause any acute or chronic problems. Short-term issues, such as an upset stomach will be a function of the amount of rubber swallowed. As to the fate of the rubber chips swallowed, they are eventually evacuated from the body, just like any other non-digestible material.  Source:  RubberManufacturers Association www.rma.org/scrap_tires/scrap_tire_markets/playgrounduse.cfm

 D.  Leaching:A number of studies have been done to determine the potential for leaching from recycled scrap tires and recycled tire products. Increased levels of zinc and iron were found in soil tilled with raw crumb rubber particles (1/4” and less) when tested annually for 4 years.  The amounts detected were below levels of concern and posed no hazards to water quality.  Additionally no toxicity to turf grass was observed in these studies.  Source:  Top Dressing with Crumb Rubber on Athletic Fields, Dr. J.N. Rogers, III and J.T. Vanini, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University , 1994.Zinc that had leached from scrap tires was determined not to pose any potential harm to the environment.  Source:  Identification of Tire Leachate Toxicants and A Risk Assessment of Water Quality Effects Using Tire Reefs in Canals, Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 578-581, Environmental Canada, 1994.Some volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds were identified in scrap tire leachates using the TCLP test.  Reported levels are far below regulatory limits:  

                                    Reported Value ug/L                 Regulatory Limit ug/L

Carbon disulfide                          67                                           14,400

Methyl ethyl ketone                     21                                             7,200

Toluene                                    190                                           14,000

Phenol                                        46                                           14,400

 

Source:  A Report on the Use of Shredded Scrap Tires in On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems, Department of Environmental Conservation, State of Vermont, Brattleboro, VT, Envirologic, Inc. 1990.Chemicals leaching from relative fresh tire crumb may present a moderate toxic threat to aquatic species if the runoff is not diluted.  However, this toxic activity is quickly degraded by natural processes, presumably by conversion of the chemicals responsible to nontoxic products.  Conditions likely to produce runoff, such as rain and snowmelt, are also likely to dilute the runoff in receiving sewers, bodies of water, and groundwater by considerable volumes.  Given that undiluted runoff is not likely and that 3 months is an outside estimate of the duration of toxicity, it is doubtful that tire crumb would present a significant risk of contamination in receiving surface waters or groundwater.  Source:  Toxicological Evaluation for the Hazard Assessment of Tire Crumb for Use in Public Playgrounds, Journal of the Air & Waste ManagementAssociation, 2003.  

E.  Flammability:

Scrap tire material is considered non-flammable based on test results from 1995 in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substance Act (16 CFR 1500.44).  A material is considered flammable if it ignites and burns with a self sustaining flame greater than 0.1 inches per second along its major axis.  

F.  Colorfastness:  

Colorfastness of product has been tested under extreme circumstances and is considered by manufacturer to be fade resistant.

 G.  Safety Ratings:  

Rubber Bark complies with ASTM F1292-99 as was tested by Northwest Laboratories of Seattle, Incorporated – May 26, 2004

 

            Product                                   Install Depth               Critical Fall Height

Rubber Mulch                           4” (Four inches)            9’ (Nine feet)

 

With proper installation and maintenance, Rubber mulch will reduce fall injuries in playgrounds.  However, PRM Enterprises, LLC and any of its affiliates or subsidiaries make no warranty of the safety and colorfastness of this product.