Global evaluation of the chemical hazard of recycled tire crumb rubber employed on worldwide synthetic turf football pitches

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Nuno Ratola (Author) FEUP; Daniel Armada (Author) Other; Maria Llompart (Author) Other; Maria Celeiro (Author) Other; Pablo García-Castro (Author) Other; Thierry Dagnac (Author) Other; Jacob de Boer (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Science of the Total Environment

Vol. 812

Pages: 1-13

ISSN: 0048-9697

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Science

Associated Projects

SAFEGOAL - SAFEGOAL - Tornar mais seguros os relvados sintéticos com enchimento de grãos de borracha de pneus reciclados

Other information

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152542

Abstract (EN): Social and environmental concern about the use of crumb rubber from end-of-life car tires in the construction of different sport and recreational facilities is increasing due to the presence of hazardous compounds. The aim of this research was the assessment of 42 organic chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, adipates, antioxidants and vulcanisation agents in a large number of infill samples (91) from synthetic turf football pitches of diverse characteristics and geographical origin. Samples were taken worldwide, in 17 countries on 4 continents, to show the global dimension of this problem. Ultrasound assisted extraction was employed to extract the target compounds, followed by gas chromatography coupled to tandem-mass spectrometry (UAE-GC-MS/MS). Seventyeight crumb rubber samples as well as thirteen samples of alternatives materials, such as cork granulates, thermoplastic elastomers and coconut fibre, were analyzed. The results highlight the presence of all target PAH in most rubber samples at concentrations up to mu g g-1, including the eight ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) PAHs considered as carcinogenic, and anthracene (ANC), pyrene (PYR) and benzo[ghi]perylene (B[ghi]P), catalogued as substances of very high concern (SVHC). Endocrine disruptors such as some plasticizers (mainly phthalates), and other compounds like benzothiazole (BTZ) and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBTZ) were found reaching the mg g-1 level. This confirms the presence of the hazardous substances in the recycled crumb rubber samples collected all around the world. Three crumb rubber samples exceeded the limit of 20 mu g g-1 for the sum of the eight ECHA PAHs. Regarding the chemical composition of other infill alternatives, cork appears to be adequate, while the thermoplastic elastomers contained high levels of some plasticizers. In addition, the plastic infill as well as the crumb rubber both are microplastics. Microplastics are considered contaminants of emerging concern since they do not biodegrade and remain in the envi- ronment for a long time.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13