Design of a new test chamber for evaluation of the toxicity of rubber infill

Abstract

A test chamber was projected and built (according to ISO 16000-9 Standard) to simulate atmospheric conditions experienced by rubber infill (when applied in synthetic turf pitches) and measure accurately the airborne emissions of pollutants such as dusts and volatile organic compounds (VOC), as well as pollutants present in leachates. It should be pointed out that standard ISO 16000-9 is only concerned with the determination of the emission of VOC from building products and furnishing (not specific of synthetic turf materials), whereas other standards are concerned with the emission of leachates only. This procedure is to be considered as a technical option to the lysimeter "global turf system evaluation" when the rubber infill alone is to be evaluated. The advantage of the proposed option considering this "test chamber" is its simplicity and economy. This test chamber is actually installed and being used for tests in LAIST.

New approach to the ecotoxicological risk assessment of artificial outdoor sporting grounds

“…Other groups also found ecotoxic effects of tire wear leachates versus human lung cells (Gualtieri et al, 2008(Gualtieri et al, , 2005b and Xenopus laevis (Mantecca et al, 2007). In contrast to that, Gomes found no toxicity of rubber infill leachate (LS 9.7 L/kg) versus Daphnia (Gomes et al, 2011). The reason for these different findings might only be related to the respective experimental approach of the leachate production.…”

“…In general, Daphnia were less susceptible than the tested algae (LC 50 ¼ 42% vs. EC 50 ¼ 18%). Gomes tested a leachate obtained from irrigating a rubber infill sample in an irrigation chamber (70 L/m 2 ) with both species and considered it to be non-toxic (Gomes et al, 2011). Other experiments showed significant toxicity of tire wear leachates (LS 100 L/kg) versus Daphnia (EC 50 between 0.5 more than 10 g/L) (Wik and Dave, 2006).…”