The Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Synthetic Turf Playing Fields and Playgrounds: Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization and Exposure Study Recruitment Strategy and Questionnaire

Abstract

The U.S. Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields and Playgrounds is a multi-agency collaborative effort with several research activities. CDC/ATSDR and EPA conducted a tire crumb characterization study and a pilot-scale exposure characterization study. The tire crumb characterization study aimed to analyze tire crumb rubber for a variety of chemicals and to characterize field use patterns and maintenance procedures using a structured questionnaire. The objective of the exposure characterization study was to characterize activity patterns for synthetic field users and measure exposure to chemicals during activities at synthetic turf fields. For the tire crumb characterization study, a convenience sampling approach was used for recruitment of potential fields. A total of 306 community field owners/managers were contacted for potential participation, and sample collection was completed at 40 synthetic turf fields, including 21 community fields and 19 military installation fields. A questionnaire was administered to each field/facility owner/manager to gather information about their synthetic turf field facilities, field users, operations, and maintenance. For the exposure characterization study, participant recruitment was conducted at three fields (two outdoor and one indoor) that participated in the tire crumb characterization study. In-person recruitment was conducted Monday through Thursday immediately prior to, during, and after field activities. The study included 32 participants who provided responses about their frequency, duration, and types of activities at athletic fields, as well as information about hygiene, and other potential exposure information. This presentation will describe recruitment strategies and criteria for field selection and field users, field/facility operations and maintenance that could affect potential exposures and questionnaire results from the exposure characterization study.