‘Unacceptable’: Study sparks playground concerns
A group of Queensland mothers have issued a warning to other parents over playgrounds with a “toxic” floor after seeing a ‘crumb rubber’ study.
A group of Brisbane mums are raising serious concerns online, after a study linked a widely used playground soft-fall surface with cancer-causing chemicals.
The study, which was published by Polish researchers at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University last month, showed crumb rubber – the tiny black granules made from recycled old tyres – could be slowly releasing toxic chemicals into the environment.
“Recycling tyres into rubber granulate is often viewed as an environmentally friendly solution,” the study’s lead author and professor of chemistry Patryk Oleszczuk wrote.
“But our results show that particle size plays a critical role in how hazardous these materials can be once they are used outdoors.”
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The study published in Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes journal found the smaller the particles, the more hazardous they could become.
“Fine rubber particles contain more toxic compounds and release them more easily into water and soil,” the study found.
A spokesperson for the Brisbane City Council said staff and councillors were “not aware” of the study, but hosed down suggestions local playgrounds were not safe.
“We regularly assess playgrounds to ensure materials are appropriate and meet all relevant Australian standards,” the spokesperson said.
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But taking to social media, a group of Brisbane mums raised fears for their children over the findings.
“It’s unacceptable and yes, you should be concerned,” one woman wrote. “Have it changed and replaced.”
“It’s gross and toxic,” commented another.
“This is why I have natural, child safe wood chip in my family day care area fort,” a third woman offered.
“The tire is so hot and not good for health at all.”
To reduce the risks, researchers said size-specific regulations needed to be enforced on recycled rubber products, along with long-term safety monitoring and the development of safer alternatives.
“Our findings do not mean that all recycled rubber products are unsafe,” Oleszczuk said.
“But they do highlight the need for size-specific regulations, careful material selection, and the development of safer alternatives, especially for applications where children are in direct contact with these materials.”
It’s not the first time Queensland playgrounds have been criticised for using crumb rubber products.
In 2021, the government-funded ReefClean project found rubber material was leaching from all of the playgrounds studied and recommended the use of soft-fall material be avoided near sensitive environments and waterways.
As a result, crumb rubber was removed from playgrounds in the Cassowary Coast Council area.
