We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Data for Recreational microplastics as emerging pollutants: effects of crumb rubber leachate across ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Those little black rubber crumbs used to cushion playgrounds and artificial turf fields—made from recycled tires—can leach chemicals that harm animals like worms, flatworms, and marine algae, according to new lab research. Scientists tested how these tire-derived chemicals affected survival, growth, and behavior across freshwater, land, and ocean species, finding measurable harm across multiple ecosystems. While this study focused on animals and algae rather than humans directly, it matters because these same rubber surfaces are common in places where kids play and exercise, and the chemicals leaching out don't stay contained to one environment—ra
This dataset contains biological response data from laboratory experiments evaluating the effects of crumb-rubber leachate on three ecologically important taxa representing freshwater, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems: planaria (Dugesia spp.), earthworms (Eisenia fetida), and dinoflagellates (Lingulodinium polyedra). Measured endpoints include survivorship, regeneration, body size, swimming behavior, body mass, stress tolerance, soil displacement, and population growth. The dataset also includes results from chemical screening of crumb-rubber leachate using LC-MS/MS suspect screening. These data were generated to assess the ecological impacts of tire-derived contaminants across multiple trophic levels and ecosystem functions.
More Papers Like This
Data for Recreational microplastics as emerging pollutants: effects of crumb rubber leachate across ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Recycled tire crumb rubber—the stuff used on playgrounds and artificial turf fields—releases chemicals that harmed worms, flatworms, and marine algae in lab tests, affecting their growth, survival, and behavior. While this study looked at wildlife rather than humans, it raises questions about what's leaching out of a material millions of people (especially kids) come into regular contact with, and adds to growing concerns about how tire-derived pollutants move through soil, water, and ecosystems.
Recreational microplastics as emerging pollutants: effects of crumb rubber leachate across ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
Those black rubber pellets on artificial turf fields and playgrounds release chemicals—including phthalates, which are known hormone-disrupting compounds—when rain washes over them. In this study, that runoff harmed tiny aquatic organisms (slowing flatworm swimming and shrinking algae populations) while affecting earthworms in a more mixed way, showing that "recycled" rubber isn't automatically eco-friendly. While this study looked at ecosystems rather than people directly, it adds to growing evidence that the chemicals leaching from recreational rubber surfaces deserve more scrutiny, especially since
Artificial sport surfaces and adverse effects for human health. A literature review
AI summary Read the abstract
This literature review evaluates health risks from artificial sport surfaces using recycled tire rubber infill, finding that the EU classifies rubber granules as microplastics and that their hazardous chemical content raises bio-accessibility concerns especially for children using playgrounds.
Recycled tire rubber materials in the spotlight. Determination of hazardous and lethal substances
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed crumb rubber from recycled tires used in artificial turf fields and playgrounds and found hazardous chemicals including 6PPD, a compound whose breakdown product (6PPD-quinone) is lethal to certain fish species. All 40 crumb rubber samples contained these toxic substances, while alternative infill materials like cork and sand were much safer. This is concerning because crumb rubber is itself a microplastic material, and children playing on these surfaces are directly exposed to both the particles and the chemicals they contain.
Metal and metalloid content in real urban synthetic surfaces made of recycled tire crumb rubber including playgrounds and football fields
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed metal and metalloid concentrations in crumb rubber infill material collected in-use from playgrounds and artificial sports fields across multiple sites, finding elevated levels of metals including toxic heavy metals in samples from children's play areas. Crumb rubber from recycled tires represents the largest intentional source of microplastics in the environment, and children who play on these surfaces face potential exposure to both the plastic particles and their toxic metal content. The study provides real-world contamination data from actual in-use facilities rather than laboratory samples, making the findings more directly applicable to public health decisions.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.