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NYS Department of Environmental Conservation AN ASSESSMENT OF CHEMICAL LEACHING, RELEASES TO AIR AND TEMPERATURE AT CRUMB-RUBBER INFILLED SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York State Department of Health May 2009 Prepared by: Ly Lim, Ph.D., P.E. Bureau of Solid Waste, Reduction & Recycling Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Randi Walker, M.P.H Bureau of Air Quality Analysis and Research Division of Air Resources New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Preface From the Spring of 2008 to the Fall of 2008, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation conducted a series of studies to assess some potential impacts from the use of crumb rubber as infill material in synthetic turf fields. Crumb rubber samples were obtained from New York State manufacturers and evaluated to determine the potential for release of pollutants into the air and by leaching. Field sampling was conducted at two New York City fields to evaluate the release of airborne chemicals, release of particulate matter and measurements of heat. Ground and surface water was evaluated at other fields to assess potential impacts. The New York State Department of Health assessed the air quality monitoring survey data. This report addresses some aspects of the use of crumb rubber infill in synthetic turf fields and is not intended to broadly address all synthetic turf issues, including the potential public health implications associated with the presence of lead-based pigments in synthetic turf fibers. Information about lead in synthetic turf fibers is available in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Advisory available at http://www2a.cdc.gov/han/archivesys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00275. Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................. vii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction................................................................................................................. 5 2. Laboratory Analysis of Crumb Rubber Samples ........................................................ 9 2.1 Objective and Design................................................................................................ 9 2.2 Sample Collection................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Laboratory............................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Laboratory Leaching Test ....................................................................................... 11 2.4.1 Test Methods and Test Parameters .................................................................. 11 2.4.2 Data Review..................................................................................................... 11 2.4.3 Test Results...................................................................................................... 11 2.4.4 Conclusions...................................................................................................... 13 2.4.5 Limitations ....................................................................................................... 14 2.5 Laboratory Off-gassing Test ................................................................................... 14 2.5.1 Test Methods and Parameters .......................................................................... 14 2.5.2 Data Review..................................................................................................... 15 2.5.3 Test Results...................................................................................................... 15 2.5.4 Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 16 2.5.5 Limitations ........................................................................................................... 16 3. Laboratory Column Test ........................................................................................... 18 3.1 Objective and Design.............................................................................................. 18 3.2 Equipment ............................................................................................................... 18 3.3 Reagents.................................................................................................................. 19 3.4 Column Test Procedures ......................................................................................... 19 3.5 Eluent Analysis - Test Method and Test Parameters .............................................. 20 3.6 Data Review............................................................................................................ 20 3.7 Test Results............................................................................................................. 21 3.8 Conclusions............................................................................................................. 21 3.9 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 22 4. Water Quality Survey at Existing Turf Fields .......................................................... 23 4.1 Surface Water Survey ............................................................................................. 23 4.1.1 Objectives and Design ..................................................................................... 23 4.1.2 Test Methods and Test Parameters .................................................................. 23 4.1.3 Data Review..................................................................................................... 23 4.1.4 Test Results...................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Groundwater Survey ............................................................................................... 24 4.2.1 Objectives and Design ..................................................................................... 24 4.2.2 Test Methods and Test Parameters .................................................................. 24 4.2.3 Data Review..................................................................................................... 25 4.2.4 Test Results...................................................................................................... 25 4.3 Conclusions............................................................................................................. 25 4.4 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 25 5. Potential Groundwater Impacts................................................................................. 27 i 5.1 Dilution-Attenuation Factor (DAF) ........................................................................ 27 5.2 Conclusions............................................................................................................. 27 5.3 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 28 6. Potential Surface Water Impacts.............................................................................. 29 6.1 Surface Water Standards......................................................................................... 29 6.2 Risk Assessment on Aquatic Life ........................................................................... 29 6.3 Conclusions............................................................................................................. 29 6.4 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 30 7. Air Quality Monitoring Survey at Existing Fields.................................................... 31 7.1 Objectives and Design ............................................................................................ 31 7.2 Sample Collection................................................................................................... 31 7.2.1 Date Selection .................................................................................................. 32 7.2.2 VOC and SVOC Sampling .............................................................................. 32 7.2.3 Wipe Samples .................................................................................................. 33 7.2.4 Microvacuum Samples..................................................................................... 33 7.2.5 Ambient PM10 and PM2.5 Monitoring .............................................................. 34 7.2.6 Meteorological Monitoring.............................................................................. 34 7.2.7 Synthetic Grass Sample ................................................................................... 34 7.3 Test Parameters and Methods ................................................................................. 35 7.3.1 Ambient Air Samples....................................................................................... 35 7.4 Laboratory Analysis................................................................................................ 35 7.4.1 Ambient Air Samples:.....................................................................................
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