Landmark California study reinforces safety of recycled rubber in sports surfaces

A newly released study from the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) found “no significant health risks” associated with exposure to crumb rubber infill used on synthetic turf fields. Ecore International, a organization that transforms reclaimed rubber materials, said the findings reinforce the safety of recycled rubber materials widely used in sports and recreation environments. 

Recycled rubber surfaces are widely used across a range of athletic, fitness and recreational applications, including indoor training facilities, fitness centers, playgrounds, running tracks and sports fields. In addition to performance benefits such as shock absorption and durability, recycled rubber materials support circular economy initiatives by giving new life to discarded tires and other rubber products. 

“This study adds to a growing body of scientific research confirming that recycled rubber materials can be used safely in sports and recreational environments,” said Jeff Coté, president and COO of Ecore. “For decades, recycled rubber has helped deliver durable, high-performance surfaces while also diverting millions of end-of-life tires from landfills. Independent studies like this reinforce the important role recycled materials play in building safe, sustainable spaces for communities.” 

The comprehensive study evaluated potential health risks to athletes, coaches, referees and spectators using synthetic turf fields containing recycled rubber. Researchers examined multiple exposure pathways across users ranging in age from 2 to 70 years old. The report determined that exposure to crumb rubber infill did not result in significant non-cancer health hazards and that cancer risks associated with the material were “insignificant” for field users. 

The study, commissioned by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), represents one of the most extensive analyses conducted on recycled rubber surfaces. The research examined 35 fields over a nine-year period and involved collaboration between several state agencies.