A bi-partisan letter was sent to the EPA Administrator regarding the use of crumb rubber in sports fields. Representatives from the green industry, including the Irrigation Association, worked with the Congressional Energy & Commerce Committee to ask the EPA for answers related to the safety of crumb rubber used in synthetic turf fields.

There are concerns among athletes and parents that the recycled rubber tire crumbs used in artificial turf for athletic fields could be linked to health hazards and serious conditions, including cancer. The letter to the EPA Administrator (which can be downloaded or viewed here) requests that the EPA provide data related to the safety of using crumb rubber and that the EPA offer science-related standards for usage of the material to reduce any possible health risks.

ALCC is pleased that the industry is asking EPA to take a science- and research-based approach as they pursue these efforts. We will update you on this topic as it develops.