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?
Replies
67Beach Comber
Ouch!
That one hurt. I think you did not interpret my response as it was intended. For the record, I have two kids who play at the playground every weekend (and never had a problem) and i live full time on the Resort. I have had issues i disagreed with and attended Board meetings on the Resort. I know the Resort management well and know people come to them with their own agendas.
I love the community and will refute issues that i consider unsubstantiated. I was around when community volunteers were called to help build it through a charitable org set up for kids.
My comments merely suggested that rather than "creating chaos", why don't you contact The Neighboorhood Assoc and try to solve your perceived problem OR hear their reasoning on using the materials.
Just think, you could be a leader in making a difference in your neighborhood!
That one hurt. I think you did not interpret my response as it was intended. For the record, I have two kids who play at the playground every weekend (and never had a problem) and i live full time on the Resort. I have had issues i disagreed with and attended Board meetings on the Resort. I know the Resort management well and know people come to them with their own agendas.
I love the community and will refute issues that i consider unsubstantiated. I was around when community volunteers were called to help build it through a charitable org set up for kids.
My comments merely suggested that rather than "creating chaos", why don't you contact The Neighboorhood Assoc and try to solve your perceived problem OR hear their reasoning on using the materials.
Just think, you could be a leader in making a difference in your neighborhood!
Beach Fanatic
I'm with Raven, the safety of our children is paramount. They must be kept away from recycled rubbers on the playground at Sandestin.
BannedAuthor
Ouch!
That one hurt. I think you did not interpret my response as it was intended. For the record, I have two kids who play at the playground every weekend (and never had a problem) and i live full time on the Resort. I have had issues i disagreed with and attended Board meetings on the Resort. I know the Resort management well and know people come to them with their own agendas.
I love the community and will refute issues that i consider unsubstantiated. I was around when community volunteers were called to help build it through a charitable org set up for kids.
My comments merely suggested that rather than "creating chaos", why don't you contact The Neighboorhood Assoc and try to solve your perceived problem OR hear their reasoning on using the materials.
Just think, you could be a leader in making a difference in your neighborhood!
"creating chaos"?
BannedAuthor
here's a very interesting study on rubber mulch from Washington State University. Please note the longterm affects on wetlands and aquatic communities. the rubber mulch folks were trying to sell it to organic gardeners as a "recycled alternative" to wood mulches. they aren't buying it. if it's not safe for plants...
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultural Myths_files/Myths/Rubber mulch.pdf
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultural Myths_files/Myths/Rubber mulch.pdf
BannedAuthor
here's more research and analysis (mind you i would not refer to any study funded by the tire or rubber industry):
http://timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?storyID=594605&newsdate=7/9/2007&BCCode=MBTA
(difficulties with recent fire in rubber mulch factory)
http://www.synturf.org/images/birkholz_crumb_safety_paper.pdf
http://healthychild.org/resources/article/the_myth_of_rubberized_landscapes/
http://www.lesspollution.org/learn.html
http://www.synturf.org/rubbercrumbtoxic.html
(banned in sweden)
http://www.paghat.com/rubbermulch.html
http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cach...g+and+"rubber+tires"&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us
http://www.energyjustice.net/tires/
(effects of burning tires, important to consider as the temp of the tires is VERY high)
http://www.natureswayresources.com/resource/infosheets/rubber.html
(good point here about errant sparks from fireworks starting a fire)
http://timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?storyID=594605&newsdate=7/9/2007&BCCode=MBTA
(difficulties with recent fire in rubber mulch factory)
http://www.synturf.org/images/birkholz_crumb_safety_paper.pdf
http://healthychild.org/resources/article/the_myth_of_rubberized_landscapes/
http://www.lesspollution.org/learn.html
http://www.synturf.org/rubbercrumbtoxic.html
(banned in sweden)
http://www.paghat.com/rubbermulch.html
http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cach...g+and+"rubber+tires"&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us
http://www.energyjustice.net/tires/
(effects of burning tires, important to consider as the temp of the tires is VERY high)
http://www.natureswayresources.com/resource/infosheets/rubber.html
(good point here about errant sparks from fireworks starting a fire)
Edited
SoWal Insider
I thought they just got sold again...within the last month. Anyone know? or am I dreaming?
gw,
I think you're thinking about the sale of ResortQuest by Gaylord Ent (GET)--Opryland, Grand Ole Opry and such--to Leucadia National Corporation (LUK) who have their fingers into, among other things, medical product development, wood product manufacturing and a winery---resort reservations/property management sounds like a good fit
.
Beach Fanatic
yeah, you're right. Thanks for clarifying.
BannedAuthor
resort reservations/property management sounds like a good fit?
totally! that's about as normal a match as katie holmes and tom cruise!
Edited
Admin
Leucadia is the parent company of Rosemary Beach Land Company which developed Rosemary Beach, Rosemary Beach Realty, Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Agency, developed Draper Lake, and is the parent company of Resortquest.
BannedAuthor
let's not let this issue die. whether at sandestin or van butler, let's make sure that the rubber tire mulch is removed. i think those of us who understand the scientific research, know that this is not a good thing in the longterm and or the short term.
there's a reason this stuff is only allowed to be used in 5 states. because the rubber/tire industries have pushed it so hard, that includes florida.
we don't need our kids or visitor's kids to be guinea pigs just to make some sales people happy? especially wiht a material that could damage their health and the health of families and our environment for generations.
what do you say? i can't get sandestin to listen, but maybe we can start with van butler?
there's a reason this stuff is only allowed to be used in 5 states. because the rubber/tire industries have pushed it so hard, that includes florida.
we don't need our kids or visitor's kids to be guinea pigs just to make some sales people happy? especially wiht a material that could damage their health and the health of families and our environment for generations.
what do you say? i can't get sandestin to listen, but maybe we can start with van butler?
BannedAuthor
Park surfaces made of recycled rubber ignite a heated debate
But officials and parents are questioning the flammability of the rubber and whether some rubberized landscapes, especially in the summer sun, are simply too hot to handle for young children.
"When we had one fire last year, we thought it was an isolated incident. Then we had another fire last month, and we're starting to wonder if there's a problem. We've covered more than half our parks with it," said Al MacDonald, superintendent of public property for Linden.
The rubber surfaces are recommended by physicians, private groups such as the National Program for Playground Safety and, of course, the rubber industry. But flammability was one of the main "disadvantages" cited by an otherwise laudatory report on rubberized landscapes issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1997.
"Rubberized mulch is something you definitely do not want to use anywhere you have the potential of fire as an issue, because, once the fire gets started, it's almost impossible to put out," said Linda Chalker-Scott, an extension horticulturist and associate professor of the Puyallup Research and Extension Center at Washington State University.
She cited the Ohio study in a September 2005 paper titled "The Myth of Rubberized Landscapes," which cited additional studies lambasting most industry claims that recycled rubber is nontoxic and environmentally sound.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1186461468171490.xml&coll=1
Video of Texas Playground Bursting into Flames
rains, extreme heat and mulch on playgrounds cause combustion in texas playgrounds.
http://video.aol.com/video/news-texas-playground-catches-fire/1957411
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5054604.html
But officials and parents are questioning the flammability of the rubber and whether some rubberized landscapes, especially in the summer sun, are simply too hot to handle for young children.
"When we had one fire last year, we thought it was an isolated incident. Then we had another fire last month, and we're starting to wonder if there's a problem. We've covered more than half our parks with it," said Al MacDonald, superintendent of public property for Linden.
The rubber surfaces are recommended by physicians, private groups such as the National Program for Playground Safety and, of course, the rubber industry. But flammability was one of the main "disadvantages" cited by an otherwise laudatory report on rubberized landscapes issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1997.
"Rubberized mulch is something you definitely do not want to use anywhere you have the potential of fire as an issue, because, once the fire gets started, it's almost impossible to put out," said Linda Chalker-Scott, an extension horticulturist and associate professor of the Puyallup Research and Extension Center at Washington State University.
She cited the Ohio study in a September 2005 paper titled "The Myth of Rubberized Landscapes," which cited additional studies lambasting most industry claims that recycled rubber is nontoxic and environmentally sound.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1186461468171490.xml&coll=1
Video of Texas Playground Bursting into Flames
rains, extreme heat and mulch on playgrounds cause combustion in texas playgrounds.
http://video.aol.com/video/news-texas-playground-catches-fire/1957411
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5054604.html
Meow
....this happened here in our area. Now, all the schools are testing their material!
Skunky
When I saw the video on the news yesterday, the playground at Sandestin was the first thing that popped in my mind...but the playground on fire had wood chips, not rubber mulch.
BannedAuthor
processed wood mulch as used in the texas playground also contains rubber.
SoWal Expert
Why can't they just run trees through chippers (w/out adding) chemicals or use sand?
Skunky
Why can't they just run trees through chippers (w/out adding) chemicals or use sand?
Termites, rot and cat poop.
SoWal Expert
What's wrong w/ rotten/rotting wood - nice and soft when you fall on it!
Don't get me started on the cat poo issue.................:roll:. Just as I don't think the world is an ashtray, I don't think it's a giant litterbox either.
Don't get me started on the cat poo issue.................:roll:. Just as I don't think the world is an ashtray, I don't think it's a giant litterbox either.
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