the playground at the village of baytowne wharf has a rubber tire mulch as ground cover instead of sand, dirt, or child safe rubber flooring (as at Destin Commons).
the signs indicate that the playground is unsafe from the hours of 9am - 6pm, because the tires are EXTREMELY HOT.
those signs are true, even adult feet couldn't bear the burn if they touch the rubber mulch!
but when exactly do they think children play?
in addition, there are other concerns about using rubber tire mulch in any residential area, let alone around children who are more vulnerable to some of the byproducts of using this toxic petroleum waste.
because the playground is positioned in an area that has little or no shade and it is in an environment that is very hot most days the rubber begins to burn. this is very dangerous for many reasons:
1) if you touch the rubber in the heat of the day, you will notice an orangish residue on your fingers. this is what happens when the rubber is heated petroleum byproduct begins to emit from the rubber
2) because it is a petroleum based product the area is an EXTREME fire hazard. i think of that often when i see parents or patrons of mangos smoking nearby. if a fire were to start at the entry of the playground, it would be difficult to get to the children in the middle or back of the playground quickly as the playground is surrounded by this highly flammable rubber tire material.
3) while burning tires emits extreme toxic fumes, having them sit out in the heat of the sun all day creates the same issue. even if you aren't aware of it as an adult, a child's immune system is much more delicate and vulnerable than yours. fumes from tires are a known carcinogen.
4) when children fall on this ground cover it has been established that many children get dermatitis or other mild or severe reactions from contact with these rubber tires. so while it might prevent the child from getting a bruise or breaking a bone, it may cause other injuries related to the skin or lungs.
so my question is, since it's too dangerous to play on the playground during times when children might be awake and the rubber could endanger the safety of children and even make them sick.
why on earth is this being used as a ground cover at sandestin's public children playground? and do other parents understand the dangers of this kind of material?
the signs indicate that the playground is unsafe from the hours of 9am - 6pm, because the tires are EXTREMELY HOT.
those signs are true, even adult feet couldn't bear the burn if they touch the rubber mulch!
but when exactly do they think children play?
in addition, there are other concerns about using rubber tire mulch in any residential area, let alone around children who are more vulnerable to some of the byproducts of using this toxic petroleum waste.
because the playground is positioned in an area that has little or no shade and it is in an environment that is very hot most days the rubber begins to burn. this is very dangerous for many reasons:
1) if you touch the rubber in the heat of the day, you will notice an orangish residue on your fingers. this is what happens when the rubber is heated petroleum byproduct begins to emit from the rubber
2) because it is a petroleum based product the area is an EXTREME fire hazard. i think of that often when i see parents or patrons of mangos smoking nearby. if a fire were to start at the entry of the playground, it would be difficult to get to the children in the middle or back of the playground quickly as the playground is surrounded by this highly flammable rubber tire material.
3) while burning tires emits extreme toxic fumes, having them sit out in the heat of the sun all day creates the same issue. even if you aren't aware of it as an adult, a child's immune system is much more delicate and vulnerable than yours. fumes from tires are a known carcinogen.
4) when children fall on this ground cover it has been established that many children get dermatitis or other mild or severe reactions from contact with these rubber tires. so while it might prevent the child from getting a bruise or breaking a bone, it may cause other injuries related to the skin or lungs.
so my question is, since it's too dangerous to play on the playground during times when children might be awake and the rubber could endanger the safety of children and even make them sick.
why on earth is this being used as a ground cover at sandestin's public children playground? and do other parents understand the dangers of this kind of material?
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