In the early 2000s, a new type of playground came into our lives: with rubber floors. They were attractive and colorful; More accessible and less dangerous, and, as if that were not enough, they allow tires to be recycled in an easy, useful and safe way. It is not surprising that rubber has conquered the country in these 20 years.
However, the Institute of Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC) two researchers. They have been investigating intensively for years.
A good idea… that comes with the fine print. “It’s very good from a circular economy point of view, because there are millions of wheels in the world and in many cases we don’t know what to do with them,” explained researcher Teresa Moreno. Months ago “But there are “we have to take into account when these materials are going to be part of this place.” And that they did.
Moreno, with the Director of IDAEA (Ethel Elzarrat), They got the job After verifying this, recycled tires, many floors have synthetic rubber added to these attractive colors or organophosphate esters. (OPE) which are used as flame retardants. In general, we talk The material that “They can act as endocrine disruptors, that is, they mimic the action of hormones and alter body functions” or about which “There is evidence that they can be toxic.”
How problematic is all this? By itself, not much. The same researchers admit this: “If we estimate that a child who spends two hours a day in a park with rubber flooring, every day of his life, could be affected, that dose is probably not dangerous.” Elzarrat explained on ABC.
However, we are not only exposed to this type of plastic on the playground (or sports facility). “They are present in the air we breathe, in what we eat, in what we drink… and it is the sum of all these exposures that can become toxic,” the researchers said, and they know what they are talking about. In recent years they have investigated the presence of these compounds in numerous supports from plastic bottles from city air.
In other words, the problem is not just the playground. The problem, as usual, goes much deeper. Playgrounds are particularly attractive because, while we all understand that plastic bottles or air pollution can affect our health in some way, they seem safe and unproblematic.
But local ignorance about the true health effects of microplastics and other chemicals invites caution.
And what can we do? The same researchers Make it clear That “it’s too early to decide”: right now we just know these ingredients are there, but lack data to assess their true impact on the health of children and adults.
After all, because decisions are not harmful. It was the arrival of rubber on the playing field A huge step for sure Many children with reduced mobility can enjoy them. Associations worked for years to make playing rights and venues more inclusive. We must not lose sight of all this when rethinking these parks or facilities.
“It’s always good to explore and know what we have,” they were saying researchers; But, for now, perhaps the most important thing is that factual information about chemical composition is readily available to consumers and the general public.
Picture | Jinhan Moon
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