December 2009 - Parks & Recreation - 49

Kari Van Wagner / Flikr

One of the main voices of concern is coming
from the non-profit group called Environment and
Human Health, Inc (EHHI). This organization produced a report that says exposures to ground-up
recycled tires are toxic to children, especially if ingested. The group argues that only partial studies
have been performed on the safety of the rubber
mulch, and that the material contains harmful chemicals with " carcinogenic potential. " To illustrate its
point, the group conducted its own experiments
and found that out-gassing (the release of gases)
was present, and four dangerous compounds were
present: benzothiazole; butylated hydroxyanisole;
n-hexadecane; and 4- (t-octyl) phenol. EHHI says
that these compounds can cause cancer, allergic
responses, respiratory irritation, and neurological
effects in children. [EHHI did not respond to any of

	

Parks and Recreation's numerous requests for comment on this article.]
According to Tim Ahern, president of the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and owner of playground company
BCI Burke, these claims are false. " To this point, it
has been determined that rubber mulch is safe, "
he says. " There is no data supporting otherwise,
period. "
Ahern says that IPEMA has reviewed more than
70 studies on the product, and hasn't found anything
to suggest that the surface isn't safe. " Studies have
shown that it is an incredibly safe surface. There
are a lot of choices out there, and rubber mulch
is a good choice, " he says. " It absorbs a kid's fall
from critical fall heights. IPEMA's position is that we
want kids to be safe and thus far we have seen no

www.NRPA .ORG

DECEMBER 2009

Parks & Recreation	 47



December 2009 - Parks & Recreation

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