U.S. Rep. Steve Israel has called on the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate any potential health risks associated with the use of recycled tire materials in constructing playgrounds and artificial turf athletic fields.
At a news conference Tuesday at the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center in East Hills, Israel (D-Huntington) said the recycled tire material – known also as “tire crumb” – is known to contain dangerous carcinogens and chemicals, but it unclear whether people are at risk if exposed to them.
“There is no issue more important to me than my constituents’ safety. It is common sense to fully investigate any materials that may possess a serious health risk to our community,” Israel said. “That is why I am calling on the EPA to conduct a comprehensive study so that parents and community leaders can make educated decisions based on those findings.”
A 2009 study of four turf athletics fields conducted by the EPA revealed low levels of concern for health risks, but Israel said the findings were not conclusive enough to describe risks associated with tire crumb or other artificial turf athletic fields.
According to Israel’s office, there are approximately 11,000 athletic fields in North America made using artificial turf.
“Tire crumbs have been proven to contain toxic chemicals including many that are known to be carcinogens, endocrine disruptors or neurotoxins,” said Dr. Kenneth Spaeth, who practices internal medicine within the North Shore-LIJ Health System. “We know that these can be harmful, some even at low levels, but there needs to be a comprehensive study conducted to consumers know the extent of the risk to themselves or their children.”
Israel said he has issued a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy urging the agency to conduct a study of tire crumb and work alongside artificial turf manufacturers to ensure the products are made safely.
The congressman was also joined by David Black, the JCC’s executive director, and Joni Cohen, the JCC’s chief operating officer, as well as Roslyn parent Jocelyn Wasserman.
Though Sid Jacobson’s athletic fields are not made using tire crumb materials, Cohen said “every community center owes it to their members to provide a safe environment, especially for their children.”
