Environmental Consequences of Rubber Crumb Application: Soil and Water Pollution

Abstract

End-of-life tires are utilized for various purposes, including sports pitches and playground surfaces. However, several substances used at the manufacture of tires can be a source of concerns related to human health or environment’s adverse effects. In this context, it is necessary to map whether this approach has the desired effect in a broader relation. While the negative effects on human health were investigated thoroughly and legislation is currently being revisited, the impact on aquatic or soil organisms has not been sufficiently studied. The present study deals with the exposure of freshwater and soil organisms to rubber crumb using the analysis of heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations. The obtained results refer to substantial concerns related to freshwater contamination specifically, since the increased concentrations of zinc (7 mg·L−1) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (58 mg·kg−1) inhibit the growth of freshwater organisms, Desmodesmus subspicatus, and Lemna minor in particular. The performed test with soil organisms points to substantial concerns associated with the mortality of earthworms as well. The acquired knowledge can be perceived as a roadmap to a consistent approach in the implementation of the circular economy, which brings with it a number of so far insufficiently described problems.

Polymer Waste Valorization into Advanced Carbon Nanomaterials for Potential Energy and Environment Applications

“…The experimental results with the organisms of soil raise serious questions on earthworm mortality as well. [65] Recent studies on air monitoring by and Singh et al (2015a) reported that tire fires contribute to extensive emissions of sulphur dioxide, particulate matter 2.5, 19 distinct PAHs, and other hazardous, mutagenic, or carcinogenic pollutants. [66,67] Rainwater will readily pool in the hollow center of a tire, where it will serve as a breeding site for pests like mosquitoes.…”

“…The experimental results with the organisms of soil raise serious questions on earthworm mortality as well. [ 65 ] Recent studies on air monitoring by Downard et al. (2015) and Singh et al.…”

Microplastics as an emerging contaminant of concern to our environment: a brief overview of the sources and implications

“…One of these inventions was recycling tires into rubber crumb that can be used as the softfall surfaces for playground equipment. However, an unintentional downside to this recycling solution has found the rubber crumb softfall to be a source of microplastic pollution [ 35 ]. AUSMAP, a globally recognized citizen science program in Australia, worked in collaboration with ReefClean to investigate rubber crumb loss from playgrounds in the Great Barrier Reef catchment [ 36 ].…”

Evaluation of blood metal levels of hockey teams after playing on synthetic turf fields

“…Artificial turf fields, also called "synthetic" surfaces, are widely used as an alternative to natural grass in many areas such as residential areas, parks, playgrounds and playing fields. (1) Although the reason given as to why artificial turf grounds are widely used in sports and playgrounds is that they allow useful activities such as exercise, it is reported that the main reason is cost savings and the ability to use artificial grass fields in all weather conditions. Crumb rubber from tires contains various metals such as cadmium, chromium, zinc, aluminum and lead.…”