Angela Ragin-Wilson
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in Atlanta | Georgia
Title: Federal Research Action Plan on recycled tire crumb used on playing fields and playgrounds
Biography
Biography: Angela Ragin-Wilson
Abstract
Recently, concerns have been raised by the public about the use of recycled tire crumb rubber infill at synthetic turf fields
in the United States. While the majority of studies identified numerous chemical compounds within the crumb rubber,
including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and metals, the measured
concentrations were generally low. To date, the studies have not shown elevated health risks from use of and contact with
synthetic turf. However, the studies are limited and do not comprehensively address the concerns about the potential health
risks associated with exposure to chemicals in the crumb rubber infill. To help address concerns raised by the public, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), launched a
multi-agency research effort in February 2016. The Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields
and Playgrounds (FRAP) focuses on understanding potential human exposure to chemicals in recycled tire crumb rubber used
in synthetic fields, which includes characterizing the chemicals in recycled tire crumb rubber and identifying the ways in which
people may be exposed to these chemicals based on their activities on synthetic turf fields. Specific activities outlines in the
FRAP include 1) conduct a literature review and data gaps analysis, 2) identify and characterize chemical compounds found in
tire crumb used in artificial turf fields, and 3) characterize exposures, or how people are exposed to these chemical compounds
based on their activities on the fields. This presentation will provide an overview of the activities led by EPA and CDC/ATSDR
on the multi-agency research initiative.
Recent Publications
1. Gomes J, Mota H, Bordado J, et al. Toxicological assessment of coated versus uncoated rubber granulates obtained from
used tires for use in sports facilities. 2010. J Air Waste Manage Assoc. 60: 741-6.
2. Bocca B, Forte G, Petricci F, Constantini S, Izzo P. Metals contained and leached from rubber granulates used in synthetic
turf areas. 2009. Sci Total Environ. 407: 2183-90.
3. Ginsberg G, Toal B, Kurland T. Human health risk assessment of synthetic turf fields based upon investigation of five
fields in Connecticut. 2011. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 74: 1150-74.
4. Simcox NJ, Bracker A, Ginsberg G, Toal B, Golembiewski B, Kurland T, Hedman C. Synthetic turf field investigation in
Connecticut. 2011. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 74: 1133-49.
5. Kim S, Yang JY, Kim HH, Yeo IY, Shin DC, Lim YW. Health risk assessment of lead ingestion exposure by particle sizes
in crumb rubber on artificial turf considering bioavailability. 2012. Environ Health Toxicol. 27: e2012005.