| A Case Study of Tire Crumb Use on Playgrounds: Risk Analysis and Communication When Major Clinical Knowledge Gaps Exist Mark E. Anderson,1,2 Katherine H. Kirkland,3 Tee L. Guidotti,4 and Cecile Rose5 1Department of Community Health Services, Denver Health, Denver, Colorado, USA; 2Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver, Colorado, USA; 3Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics, Washington, DC, USA; 4Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Mid-Atlantic Center for Child Health and the Environment, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC; 5Departments of Medicine/Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
Abstract
Physicians and public health professionals working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 8 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) received several telephone calls requesting information regarding the safety of recycled tire crumb as a playground surface constituent placed below children's play structures. There were no reported symptoms or adverse health effects in exposed children. The literature available on the safety and risk of exposure to crumb rubber constituents was limited and revealed no information quantifying exposures associated with product use. Callers were informed by the PEHSU that no evidence existed suggesting harm from intended use of the product, but gaps in knowledge about the product were identified and communicated. Here the case of crumb rubber on playgrounds is used as a model to present an approach to similar environmental medicine questions. From defining the question, to surveying traditional and nontraditional resources for information, synthesis of findings, and risk communication, the case provides a model to approach similar questions. Key words: children, environment, PEHSU, playground, recycled tire, risk communication, tire crumb. Environ Health Perspect 114:1-3 (2006) . doi:10.1289/ehp.7629 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 17 August 2005]
Address correspondence to M.E. Anderson, 777 Bannock St., Mail Code 1911, Denver, CO 80204 USA. Telephone: (303) 436-4098. Fax: (303) 436-3056. E-mail: manderso@dhha.org We acknowledge the many professionals working in the national Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit program along with their government partners. The authors declare they have no competing financial interests. Received 30 September 2004 ; accepted 17 August 2005.
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