Assessment of ELT-derived rubber crumb in sports fields

Rubber crumb manufactured from end-of-life tyres (ELT) is used as in-fill material for sports fields. Recently, the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, evaluated potential risks from using synthetic turfs, filled with rubber crumb from recycled tyres, for sports activities. The authority concluded that these sports fields can be safely used, but also identified some data gaps. On initiative of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturer‘s Association (ETRMA), together with the Crumb Rubber Industry Platform (CRIP) FoBiG, together with partners Eurofins and Labosport started an “Assessment of exposure and potential risks to human health associated with the use of ELT-derived rubber crumb in artificial turf”. With this research project a major effort is made to fill remaining data gaps and to come to a comprehensive risk assessment of substance potentially available from rubber crumb used as infill material in artificial turfs in Europe.

For further information please contact Klaus Schneider.