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A Review of the Potential Health and Safety Risks from Synthetic Turf Fields Containing Crumb Rubber Infill

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A Review of the Potential Health and Safety Risks from Synthetic Turf Fields Containing Crumb Rubber Infill A REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS FROM SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS CONTAINING CRUMB RUBBER INFILL Prepared for New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene New York, NY Prepared by TRC Windsor, Connecticut May 2008 A REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS FROM SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS CONTAINING CRUMB RUBBER INFILL Prepared for New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene New York, NY Prepared by TRC Windsor, Connecticut Report Authors: Elizabeth Denly Katarina Rutkowski Karen M. Vetrano, Ph.D. NYC DOHMH Reviewers: Andriana Azarias, Nancy Clark, Nathan Graber, Paromita Hore, Maureen Little TRC Project No. 153896 May 2008 TRC 21 Griffin Road North Windsor, Connecticut 06095 Telephone 860-298-9692 Facsimile 860-298-6399 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................... iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................ES–1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1 Background and Purpose of Review............................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Scope of Work................................................................................................................ 1-3 1.2.1 Literature Search..................................................................................................... 1-3 1.2.2 Key Questions......................................................................................................... 1-3 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF CRUMB RUBBER INFILL USED IN SYNTHETIC TURF ........... 2-1 2.1 Manufacturing Processes of Rubber ............................................................................... 2-2 2.2 Manufacture of Rubber Tires.......................................................................................... 2-3 2.3 Chemicals Identified in Recycled Tires.......................................................................... 2-4 2.4 Different Types of Crumb Rubber and Manufacturing Processes.................................. 2-5 2.5 Chemicals of Potential Concern (COPCs) in Crumb Rubber......................................... 2-7 2.6 Analytic Methods for Identifying COPCs in Crumb Rubber ......................................... 2-9 2.7 Material Safety Data Sheets for Crumb Rubber ............................................................. 2-9 2.8 Impact of Environmental Factors on Synthetic Turf Material over Time .................... 2-10 2.9 Background Levels of COPCs in the Environment ...................................................... 2-11 2.10 Potential Data Gaps....................................................................................................... 2-12 3.0 POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS RELATED TO COPCS IN CRUMB RUBBER....... 3-1 3.1 Exposure to COPCs Through Ingestion.......................................................................... 3-8 3.1.1 Study Methods and Findings on COPC Exposures in Crumb Rubber Via Ingestion.................................................................................................................. 3-9 3.1.2 Laboratory Analytical Methods Used to Simulate Gastro-Intestinal Digestion of Crumb Rubber .................................................................................................. 3-12 3.1.3 Estimating Quantity of Ingested Crumb Rubber During Use of a Synthetic Turf Field ...................................................................................................................... 3-14 3.1.4 Models Assessing Ingestion Exposure.................................................................. 3-15 3.1.5 Summary of Studies Evaluating Ingestion Exposure............................................ 3-15 3.2 Exposure to COPCs Through Dermal Contact ............................................................. 3-18 3.2.1 Study Methods and Findings on COPC Exposures in Crumb Rubber Via Dermal Contact ..................................................................................................... 3-19 3.2.2 Transfer of COPCs from Crumb Rubber to Skin, Absorption Through Skin, and Local Effects to Exposed Skin ....................................................................... 3-20 3.2.3 Models Assessing Dermal Exposure .................................................................... 3-21 3.2.4 Summary of Studies Evaluating Dermal Exposure .............................................. 3-22 3.3 Exposure to COPCs Through Inhalation ...................................................................... 3-25 3.3.1 Study Methods and Findings on COPC Exposures in Crumb Rubber Via Inhalation........................................................................................................ 3-25 3.3.2 Characteristics of Particulate Matter Generated During Use of Synthetic Fields 3-27 3.3.3 Models Assessing Inhalation Exposure ................................................................ 3-28 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 3.3.4 Summary of Studies Evaluating Inhalation Exposure .......................................... 3-29 3.4 Child and Adult Usage Patterns on Synthetic Turf Fields............................................ 3-32 3.5 Potential Biomarkers Indicative of Exposure to COPCs .............................................. 3-33 3.6 Comparison Guidelines................................................................................................. 3-34 4.0 POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS RELATED TO PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS............................................................................................. 4-1 4.1 Temperature of Synthetic Fields..................................................................................... 4-5 4.1.1 Impact of Synthetic Turf Fields on Ambient and Surface Level Temperatures..... 4-6 4.1.2 Potential Heat-Related Illnesses and Dermal Injuries ............................................ 4-8 4.1.3 Prevention of Heat-Related Illness and Dermal Injury........................................... 4-8 4.1.4 Techniques for Measuring Heat Effects from Synthetic Turf Fields.................... 4-10 4.1.5 Summary of Information Reviewed on the Impact of Synthetic Turf on Ambient and Surface Temperatures...................................................................... 4-11 4.2 Hardness, Abrasiveness, Injury Types and Infection Risk of Synthetic Fields............ 4-14 4.2.1 Assess Impact Attenuation of Different Field Surfaces........................................ 4-16 4.2.2 Assess Abrasiveness of Different Field Surfaces ................................................. 4-20 4.2.3 Frequency of Injury in Different Playing Fields................................................... 4-22 4.2.4 Assessment of Potential of Staphylococcus Aureus Infection Associated with Synthetic Turf ....................................................................................................... 4-27 5.0 BENEFITS OF USING SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS...................................................... 5-1 5.1 Increased Access............................................................................................................. 5-1 5.2 Surface Hardness and Injury........................................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Health Benefits................................................................................................................ 5-1 5.4 Environmental Benefits.................................................................................................. 5-2 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................... 6-1 6.1 Chemical Make-up of Crumb Rubber............................................................................. 6-1 6.2 Reduce Potential Health Effects Related to Heat Build Up............................................ 6-1 6.3 Assess Potential Inhalation Exposures............................................................................ 6-2 6.4 Protocol for Selecting and Purchasing Synthetic Turf Products..................................... 6-2 7.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 7-1 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) TABLES 2-1 Chemicals of Potential Concern Matrix: Crumb Rubber. Based on Analyses Performed in the Literature Reviewed.............................................................................. 2-13 2-2 Chemicals of Potential Concern Matrix: Air. Based on Analyses Performed in the Literature Reviewed.......................................................................................................... 2-15 2-3 Chemicals of Potential Concern Matrix: Crumb Rubber Leachate. Based on Analyses Performed in the Literature Reviewed.............................................................................. 2-18 2-4 Rubber Infill Components From Synthetic Turf in Select Parks in NYC. Table Prepared Using Data From: MSDS for Rubber Infill Materials Provided by New York City Parks Department (NYC Department of Parks And Recreation) ............................................... 2-19 2-5 Chemicals of Potential Concern and Their Presence in the Environment........................ 2-20 2-6 PAH Levels in Foods.......................................................................................................
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