Under Scrutiny, Recycled Rubber Shows Up As One of the Safest Consumer Products

More than 100 technical studies have found that recycled rubber products—in addition to being environmentally friendly and durable—present no significant health risks. Despite this robust research, it remains one of the most criticized consumer products, continuously subjected to misguided and false claims.

In 2019, the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS) received one such claim. A community group claimed that playgrounds around the city contained elevated levels of lead as a result of the poured-in-place (PIP) material used as the ground surface. These claims were based on samples from undisclosed locations and lacked a proper chain of custody. Nonetheless, they sparked concern over the safety of recycled rubber. 

In response DGS, in partnership with D.C. Public Schools (DCPS), tested nearly 320 PIP surfaces at 87 school sites, which included up to 48 samples taken at each school, four different types of tests, a documented sampling and testing protocol, and a certified independent lab to run the analysis.

These tests found that recycled rubber playground surfaces did not have higher levels of lead compared to other playgrounds. In the few cases where playgrounds did have a relatively high level of lead, the playgrounds were closed until the issue was addressed. Additionally, it was determined that rubber was not the cause of the higher lead levels. The actual cause ranged from paints and pigments to the migration of dust from bare soil and construction.

The study not only helped solidify the safety of recycled rubber, but it also showed the difficulty of testing products that are currently in use, as many of these chemicals appear in natural grass and soil. In fact, in another study by the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and Department of Health (DOH), the same chemicals discovered in the playgrounds were also found at comparable levels in recreational fields made from natural grass and soil only. 

DGS's study once again shows that recycled rubber is safe for consumers; in fact, it's no more dangerous than regular dirt! Ensuring that consumer products are regularly tested is incredibly important to protecting consumers' health and safety, and recycled rubber is one of the most tested products today. 

In addition to providing safety benefits, playground surfacing also creates accessible spaces, as new materials made from recycled rubber exceed ADA standards and are deemed universally accessible for children with disabilities.

Ensuring the safety of recycled rubber products is one of the Recycled Rubber Coalition’s top priorities. That's why we embrace the regular testing of recycled rubber, and the facts are undeniable: products created with well-regulated American recycled rubber are one of the safest options out there.