{"id":279,"date":"2016-12-02T15:18:57","date_gmt":"2016-12-02T15:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.groupactionlawyers.co.uk\/blog\/?p=279"},"modified":"2016-12-21T14:24:29","modified_gmt":"2016-12-21T14:24:29","slug":"carcinogenic-artificial-turf-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.groupactionlawyers.co.uk\/blog\/carcinogenic-artificial-turf-research","title":{"rendered":"Carcinogenic Artificial Turf Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

Concerns have been raised about the safety of recycled tire crumbs used in playing fields and playgrounds. Limited studies have seemingly not shown an elevated health risk from playing on fields with tire crumbs, but existing studies do not appear to comprehensively evaluate the concerns about health risks from exposure to tire crumbs.<\/p>\n

Whenever there is a question of this nature though, we must do all we can to investigate any potential issues to avoid major problems like we have seen with materials such as asbestos over the last few decades.
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Why is it potentially dangerous?<\/h2>\n

Artificial ‘3G’ pitches are created by inserting synthetic grass-like blades into a thin base layer of sand. These blades are then supported by an infill of ‘rubber crumb’ or ‘astro-dirt’ – small pieces of rubber sourced from reclaimed automotive tyres. It’s these granules that people are concerned may be rife with carcinogens, which are hazardous and potentially lethal to humans.<\/p>\n

Griffin’s research<\/h3>\n

A U.S. coach raised suspicions that the tiny black dots on artificial turf playing fields made from recycled tires – aka ‘tire crumb’ – are to blame for causing cancer to sportspersons; especially goalkeepers, as they spend a lot of time on the ground.<\/p>\n

Griffin compiled list of athletes with cancer in the U.S., which totalled 230, including 183 soccer players, of which 114 are goalkeepers.<\/p>\n

In the U.K. there are some football grounds that use ‘3G’ pitches, and there are notable premiership rugby grounds like Allianz Park (Saracens) and Kingston Park (Newcastle Falcons) with a lot of other sides set to follow suit shortly. As such, any question of health concerns need to be properly addressed.<\/p>\n

Federal research in the U.S.<\/h3>\n

A multi-agency action plan to study key environmental human health questions has been launched by several U.S. authorities. The Coordinated Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields and Playgrounds includes outreach to key stakeholders, such as athletes and parents, seeking to:<\/p>\n

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