'US playgrounds: fears grow over health risks from rubber particles' diff viewer (2/3)

This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on June 25, 2019 05:30 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/25/lawmakers-concerned-chemicals-rubber-playgrounds-push-safety-rules

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 Next version

Version 2	Version 3
US playgrounds: fears grow over health risks from rubber particles	US playgrounds: fears grow over health risks from rubber particles
2019-06-25 15:54:24 UTC	2019-06-25 19:46:35 UTC (about 4 hours later)
Thousands of playgrounds and sports fields around the country have been covered with crumb rubber from recycled tires, and some experts and lawmakers are concerned about possible health effects on children.	Thousands of playgrounds and sports fields around the country have been covered with crumb rubber from recycled tires, and some experts and lawmakers are concerned about possible health effects on children.
The material can contain heavy metals like lead and manganese, volatile organic compounds like toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The chemicals are associated with cancer and other illnesses at certain levels of exposure.	The material can contain heavy metals like lead and manganese, volatile organic compounds like toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The chemicals are associated with cancer and other illnesses at certain levels of exposure.
But the federal government has yet to weigh in on whether the material might be bad for the young people playing on it, falling far behind schedule on an expected report.	But the federal government has yet to weigh in on whether the material might be bad for the young people playing on it, falling far behind schedule on an expected report.
With few answers and many concerns, some communities are banning the crumb rubber infill, including Westport, Connecticut, and Edmonds, Washington. Still others are converting their grass fields in the hopes of limiting injuries and reducing maintenance costs.	With few answers and many concerns, some communities are banning the crumb rubber infill, including Westport, Connecticut, and Edmonds, Washington. Still others are converting their grass fields in the hopes of limiting injuries and reducing maintenance costs.
Exposure to any one of the chemicals typically found in used tires is concerning, said Homero Harari, with the Institute for Exposomic Research at Mount Sinai in New York. But the mixture is even more worrisome, he said.	Exposure to any one of the chemicals typically found in used tires is concerning, said Homero Harari, with the Institute for Exposomic Research at Mount Sinai in New York. But the mixture is even more worrisome, he said.
“The main concern is that there was a lack of safety testing prior to the introduction of the material in playing surfaces,” Harari said. “As scientists we normally apply the precautionary principle – when we know that there’s concern about a substance or chemical, we normally try to avoid it.”	“The main concern is that there was a lack of safety testing prior to the introduction of the material in playing surfaces,” Harari said. “As scientists we normally apply the precautionary principle – when we know that there’s concern about a substance or chemical, we normally try to avoid it.”
Crumb rubber often breaks apart, spreading into the air children breathe and getting swallowed when kids put their hands in their mouths.	Crumb rubber often breaks apart, spreading into the air children breathe and getting swallowed when kids put their hands in their mouths.
State lawmakers in Connecticut, New York and Virginia have proposed bills to limit the use of the material or study its effects. Experts say those bills represent a larger trend: states are pursuing their own chemical rules as they see the federal government lagging behind.	State lawmakers in Connecticut, New York and Virginia have proposed bills to limit the use of the material or study its effects. Experts say those bills represent a larger trend: states are pursuing their own chemical rules as they see the federal government lagging behind.
States pushing for safer chemicals	States pushing for safer chemicals
In 2019, 33 states introduced legislation related to chemical safety, according to the tracking group Safer States.	In 2019, 33 states introduced legislation related to chemical safety, according to the tracking group Safer States.
Washington state passed the most comprehensive plan yet – to require its ecology and health departments to consider restrictions on five of the most worrisome categories of chemicals that people encounter, through products, food, air and water.	Washington state passed the most comprehensive plan yet – to require its ecology and health departments to consider restrictions on five of the most worrisome categories of chemicals that people encounter, through products, food, air and water.
Although the new law will apply to only one state, local advocates say it is forcing corporations to rethink their chemical policies.	Although the new law will apply to only one state, local advocates say it is forcing corporations to rethink their chemical policies.
Laurie Valeriano, executive director of the Washington group Toxic Free Future, said Target and other retailers have started to more closely examine the children’s toys they sell, responding to a law requiring disclosure of chemicals.	Laurie Valeriano, executive director of the Washington group Toxic Free Future, said Target and other retailers have started to more closely examine the children’s toys they sell, responding to a law requiring disclosure of chemicals.
Valeriano said the companies “see the writing on the wall”, even though the new rules are not coming from the federal government.	Valeriano said the companies “see the writing on the wall”, even though the new rules are not coming from the federal government.
Trump's EPA is 'dangerously off the rails' on toxic chemical regulation, say senators	Trump's EPA is 'dangerously off the rails' on toxic chemical regulation, say senators
“The real changes on the ground affecting health are happening at the local and state level. I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years and that’s been the case,” Valeriano said. “We can get strong protections put in place whereas the federal government is much more influenced by the chemical industry lobbying and money.”	“The real changes on the ground affecting health are happening at the local and state level. I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years and that’s been the case,” Valeriano said. “We can get strong protections put in place whereas the federal government is much more influenced by the chemical industry lobbying and money.”
Chemical safety advocates and Democratic members of Congress accuse the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency of favoring the industry over public health, noting that many of the agency’s top chemical officials formerly represented the businesses and trade groups they now regulate.	Chemical safety advocates and Democratic members of Congress accuse the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency of favoring the industry over public health, noting that many of the agency’s top chemical officials formerly represented the businesses and trade groups they now regulate.
In Massachusetts, lobbyists fought a ban on flame retardants.	In Massachusetts, lobbyists fought a ban on flame retardants.
In Vermont, they have opposed a bill that would allow the courts to force polluters to pay for potential victims to visit doctors. Co-sponsor Brian Campion said Vermont’s effort shows “the federal government isn’t doing anything as it relates to these kind of consumer protections, and it’s really being left up to the states”.	In Vermont, they have opposed a bill that would allow the courts to force polluters to pay for potential victims to visit doctors. Co-sponsor Brian Campion said Vermont’s effort shows “the federal government isn’t doing anything as it relates to these kind of consumer protections, and it’s really being left up to the states”.
Vermont lawmakers approved the bill, but the Republican governor vetoed it.	Vermont lawmakers approved the bill, but the Republican governor vetoed it.
Cancer refers to a group of related diseases involving abnormal cell mutation. As these cells grow in number and spread, they can form growths called tumors.	Cancer refers to a group of related diseases involving abnormal cell mutation. As these cells grow in number and spread, they can form growths called tumors.
The impact of cancer on Americans has changed over time with medicine, lifestyle and the environment. In the last four decades, more Americans have been diagnosed with cancer, but more have survived, the US National Cancer Institute reports.	The impact of cancer on Americans has changed over time with medicine, lifestyle and the environment. In the last four decades, more Americans have been diagnosed with cancer, but more have survived, the US National Cancer Institute reports.
In the last two decades, rates of lung and bronchus cancer from smoking (accounting for one in four US cancer deaths) have declined, but remain dominant.	In the last two decades, rates of lung and bronchus cancer from smoking (accounting for one in four US cancer deaths) have declined, but remain dominant.
Liver, thyroid and skin cancers, which remain a minority, are on the rise. There is evidence that flame retardants could cause thyroid cancer, and that the chemicals mimic hormones in animal trials.	Liver, thyroid and skin cancers, which remain a minority, are on the rise. There is evidence that flame retardants could cause thyroid cancer, and that the chemicals mimic hormones in animal trials.
The rates of people who are obese or overweight have tripled globally since 1975. Nearly 40% of US adults are obese, with the most pronounced increase among people considered obese or extremely obese. Most research looks to the “big two”: Americans eat more “energy dense foods”, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, and institutional changes have discouraged non-participation in physical activity.	The rates of people who are obese or overweight have tripled globally since 1975. Nearly 40% of US adults are obese, with the most pronounced increase among people considered obese or extremely obese. Most research looks to the “big two”: Americans eat more “energy dense foods”, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, and institutional changes have discouraged non-participation in physical activity.
While big two research dominates, other factors may play a role. A growing body of research examines how obesity might be related to an increase in industrial chemical exposure characterized as “obesogens”.	While big two research dominates, other factors may play a role. A growing body of research examines how obesity might be related to an increase in industrial chemical exposure characterized as “obesogens”.
Food allergies appear to be increasing in prevalence, especially in westernized countries. However, the reasons for this rise are unclear, according to Harvard researchers. Even the prevalence itself is difficult to measure, given the dangers of testing large populations for food allergies.	Food allergies appear to be increasing in prevalence, especially in westernized countries. However, the reasons for this rise are unclear, according to Harvard researchers. Even the prevalence itself is difficult to measure, given the dangers of testing large populations for food allergies.
As much as 10% of the population of westernized countries could have a food allergy. Some evidence shows that children of Asian or African descent who are raised in a westernized environment are at increased risk of developing a food allergy.	As much as 10% of the population of westernized countries could have a food allergy. Some evidence shows that children of Asian or African descent who are raised in a westernized environment are at increased risk of developing a food allergy.
Infertility rates globally are difficult to determine, but the worst rates are in undeveloped countries, and are often indexed to women. Some of the best estimates come from a global survey which compared rates of infertility in 1990 and 2010. Researchers found little change.	Infertility rates globally are difficult to determine, but the worst rates are in undeveloped countries, and are often indexed to women. Some of the best estimates come from a global survey which compared rates of infertility in 1990 and 2010. Researchers found little change.
At the same time, researchers have become increasingly convinced of a decline in male fertility, especially in the western world. While the cause of male sperm count decline are debated, one increasingly accepted theory posits people’s increasing exposure to industrial chemicals, especially of those used in plastics such as bisphenol A and phthalates, could impact sperm counts.	At the same time, researchers have become increasingly convinced of a decline in male fertility, especially in the western world. While the cause of male sperm count decline are debated, one increasingly accepted theory posits people’s increasing exposure to industrial chemicals, especially of those used in plastics such as bisphenol A and phthalates, could impact sperm counts.
In general, the prevalence of learning disabilities is estimated at between 5% and 9% of the US population. Researchers believe roughly 840,000 school-aged children have a severe learning disability. The percent of students with a learning disability is highly correlated with poverty, and the gap between poor and middle class appears to be widening.	In general, the prevalence of learning disabilities is estimated at between 5% and 9% of the US population. Researchers believe roughly 840,000 school-aged children have a severe learning disability. The percent of students with a learning disability is highly correlated with poverty, and the gap between poor and middle class appears to be widening.
It is difficult to disentangle learning disabilities from poverty, which can also impact health through trauma and the effects of poor housing.	It is difficult to disentangle learning disabilities from poverty, which can also impact health through trauma and the effects of poor housing.
Autism Spectrum Disorder impacts about 1% of US children, roughly in line with other industrialized nations, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.	Autism Spectrum Disorder impacts about 1% of US children, roughly in line with other industrialized nations, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Autism diagnoses increased rapidly in recent decades. However, whether the absolute number of people with autism has increased has confounded researchers, as diagnostic criteria broadened and community awareness rapidly increased.	Autism diagnoses increased rapidly in recent decades. However, whether the absolute number of people with autism has increased has confounded researchers, as diagnostic criteria broadened and community awareness rapidly increased.
The proposal grew out of a lawsuit from residents in Bennington, Vermont, who sued a plastics company for allegedly exposing them to a class of nonstick fluorinated chemicals, called PFAS.	The proposal grew out of a lawsuit from residents in Bennington, Vermont, who sued a plastics company for allegedly exposing them to a class of nonstick fluorinated chemicals, called PFAS.
The company paid a settlement to connect homes that relied on contaminated well water to a municipal drinking water system. But it has not been required to cover medical monitoring costs.	The company paid a settlement to connect homes that relied on contaminated well water to a municipal drinking water system. But it has not been required to cover medical monitoring costs.
Connecticut also failed this month to pass legislation restricting that same type of chemical from use in firefighting foam. Just a few days after the legislative session closed, an airport spilled an estimated 50,000 gallons of that foam into a river.	Connecticut also failed this month to pass legislation restricting that same type of chemical from use in firefighting foam. Just a few days after the legislative session closed, an airport spilled an estimated 50,000 gallons of that foam into a river.
Anne Hulick, director of Connecticut-based advocacy group Clean Water Action, hopes the increased media attention will lead to that bill’s passage next year. “The issue itself was largely unknown to so many of our legislators,” she said.	Anne Hulick, director of Connecticut-based advocacy group Clean Water Action, hopes the increased media attention will lead to that bill’s passage next year. “The issue itself was largely unknown to so many of our legislators,” she said.