Issue Brief

Yet, a persistent and damaging myth has been circulating that the use of these facilities is somehow linked to health issues due to the use of crumb rubber made from recycled tires. However, a growing body of definitive research has demonstrated that facilities which use recycled rubber are safe and the health risks are “virtually negligible.”

That’s why it’s so important that communities, schools, parks departments and parents have access to reliable evidence to inform their decisions.

What is Recycled Rubber?

Recycled rubber is a sustainable material processed from used rubber products, primarily end-of-life tires, that is transformed into new materials without undergoing chemical changes.  

The recycling process involves two primary methods:

• Ambient Shredding, which relies on interlocking knives to shred tires into smaller pieces
• Cryogenic Process, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze tires at sub-zero temperatures, making them brittle before being torn apart.

Recycled rubber is used in a wide variety of products, including:

• Shoes
• Carpets
• Tires
• Turf fields
• Hospital floors
• Roads and sidewalks
• Playground surfaces
• Rubber mulch
• Garden vegetation protectors
• Windbreaks
• Livestock mats
• Bumpers
• Feeders
• Fitness flooring
• Animal mats
• Trash cans
• Rubber bands
  

Environmental Benefits

The recycling process helps keep over 220 million end-of-life tires out of landfills every year. More than 95% of these tires are now recycled and used in new rubber materials. 

Why Recycled Rubber?

‍Playgrounds and playing fields provide children with a place to play and families with a place to gather. Utilizing recycled rubber allows communities to keep many parks and playing fields open even when there is inclement weather. 

• Turf fields have a utilization rate that can be up to 10 times higher than natural grass fields. With increased accessibility, fields can remain open for longer and provide a space for activity.
• For communities with limited resources, recycled rubber helps increase access to quality facilities, with significantly reduced maintenance costs compared to grass alternatives. ‍
• On playgrounds, recycled rubber is designed to provide a cushion for active kids. The material is slip-resistant, draining water during rain, and soft — reducing injuries when kids fall.
• By keeping parks open, recycled rubber promotes healthy physical activity for people of all ages.

What the Science Says

There is a growing body of research confirming that surfaces using recycled rubber are just as safe as natural grass. 

Experts from around the world, in academia and government, have published definitive peer-reviewed studies and reports examining the materials present and monitoring athletes who spend time on the surfaces.  Across the board, they came to the same conclusion: the risk of adverse health impacts from recycled rubber is not significant.

In 2016, for instance, the National Institution for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands conducted a study of artificial turf fields. Their conclusion was clear: “Risk to health from playing sports on these synthetic turf fields is virtually negligible.”

The US Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Centers for Disease Control came to a similar conclusion in a comprehensive, two-part study published in 2024. Researchers compared exposure levels of artificial turf with natural grass, finding no significant difference between the two. Athletes that played consistently on artificial turf showed the same “likely limited exposure” as those who played on natural grass. 

The study reaffirms what other researchers have found. 

More than one hundred studies investigating recycled rubber confirmed that it poses no significant health risk. 

• The European Chemicals Agency found that recycled rubber “causes a very low level of concern.”
• The National Toxicology Program wrote that “no health problems were observed.”
• Dr. Archie Bleyer, an expert in pediatric oncology, published two peer-reviewed articles about recycled rubber, observing “no association” between turf fields and increased cancer risk.

The research is clear: experts from around the world emphasize that exposure from recycled rubber poses no significant health risks.

Conclusion

Recycled rubber has transformed the way communities create safe and accessible recreational spaces. The safety record of facilities utilizing recycled rubber, combined with its durability and cost-effectiveness, makes it an indispensable material for playgrounds and sports fields alike.

Additionally, the material opens the door for year-round play, keeping children active and presenting communities with a safe and durable option for their parks and playgrounds. By supporting recycled rubber, we're not just investing in better playing surfaces—we're investing in healthier, more active communities and a more sustainable future.