3 Toxic Risks You Face at the Park and How to Avoid Them

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3 Toxic Risks You Face at the Park and How to Avoid Them

Janelle Sorensen

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

My kids, like most others, love an afternoon at the park. And, while I watch them diligently to avoid bumps and falls, I also try to be aware of potential exposures to toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Here are the top three risks I look out for and easy tips for either avoiding them or at least reducing your child’s exposure.

1. CCA-Treated Wood

Before it was banned in 2003, most wood used in decks, children’s playground equipment, benches and picnic tables was treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which leaches arsenic, a known carcinogen. Even though it has been banned, many playgrounds have not had the funds to replace old equipment. In fact, last November, scientists in Louisiana tested playgrounds and found disturbingly high levels of CCA present both on the wood and in the soil at more than 30% of locations. Most egregiously, at one playground they found the wood chips used as a ground cover were made from CCA-treated wood (which is illegal – CCA-treated wood is supposed to be disposed of as hazardous waste.) According to Science News, “Parents shouldn’t expect to be informed where tainted play areas are suspected. There are no requirements that playground managers survey for arsenic in soil.”

Learn more:

How to Avoid Arsenic Exposure from CCA Treated Wood

2. Tires

Whether it’s shredded tire mulch, a rubber solid surface, or crumb rubber in-fill on a turf playfield – get to know what’s under your toes. Recycled tires are touted as an eco-friendly surface option for parks and playfields – and, yes, it does keep them out of landfills – but recycling tires may not be the healthiest option. There are almost no studies on potential health impacts (especially long-term) from using tire rubber, but preliminary reports have found definitive evidence of potential risk. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), in a January 2007 report Evaluation of Health Effects of Recycled Waste Tires in Playground and Track Products, found that 49 chemicals could be released from tire crumbs. TWEET THIS More recently, according to Jenn Savedge of the Mother Nature Network:

“A leaked memo from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that agency scientists have begun to question whether there's stuff in the crumb rubber that could be toxic to kids. "What's known is very very little. They list, I think it's 30 toxic chemicals in one of the memos. And so far work has only been done on two of them," said Jeff Ruch, head of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, in an interview with The Environment Report. An EPA spokesman says the agency is doing a preliminary study of four playgrounds to test for toxins such as lead and volatile organic compounds. The results aren't in yet.”

Learn more:

3. Pesticides

Common pesticides used on grass and weeds have been linked to a range of health problems, including asthma, hyperactivity and behavior problems, cancer, learning disabilities, reproductive disorders, and compromised brain development. With growing awareness and concern about the risks, many parks across the country are going pesticide-free, but it’s still the exception and not the norm. Pesticide residues can linger on grass, but they can also drift and be found on play equipment.

Learn more:

What You Can Do

Call your local Park and Recreation department to find out what’s used at your parks and what, if any, testing has been done (e.g. for arsenic or lead in soil). You could also use some of the resources above to help educate staff and promote safer equipment and maintenance practices.

But, the easiest and most important thing you can do is wash your child’s hands. Really, it’s that simple. A primary route of exposure to any of these contaminants is hand-to-mouth behavior. And, look for an actual sink if possible. Friction and running water are the workhorses of effective hand-washing. (Hand sanitizers are made to kill bacteria, not to remove dust and dirt that can harbor chemicals.)

All in all – just be aware. Dirt is good. Play is good. Exercise is very good. Don’t let the worry over these risks outweigh the benefits of an afternoon at the park.

image courtesty of brianna.lehman / CC BY-SA 2.0