title: Hazardous organic chemicals in rubber recycled tire playgrounds and pavers.
abstract: In this study, the presence of hazardous organic chemicals in surfaces containing recycled rubber tires is investigated. Direct material analyses using solvent extraction, as well as SPME analysis of the vapour phase above the sample, were carried out. Twenty-one rubber mulch samples were collected from nine different playgrounds. In addition, seven commercial samples of recycled rubber pavers were acquired in a local store of a multinational company. All samples were extracted by ultrasound energy, followed by analysis of the extract by GC-MS. The analysis confirmed the presence of a large number of hazardous substances including PAHs, phthalates, antioxidants (e.g. BHT, phenols), benzothiazole and derivatives, among other chemicals. The study evidences the high content of toxic chemicals in these recycled materials. The concentration of PAHs in the commercial pavers was extremely high, reaching values up to 1%. In addition, SPME studies of the vapour phase above the samples confirm the volatilisation of many of those organic compounds. Uses of recycled rubber tires, especially those targeting play areas and other facilities for children, should be a matter of regulatory concern.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Quimica Analitica, Nutricion y Bromatologia, Facultad de Quimica, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain. maria.llompart@usc.es
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Llompart
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Prado
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pablo Lamas
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garcia-Jares
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roca
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dagnac
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D059027:Recycling; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012408:Rubber / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; C032279:phthalic acid; D012408:Rubber