The Well News, October 28, 2025: This oped by Dr. Diana Zuckerman explains why PIP and other rubber playground and play surfaces for young children can cause obesity, early puberty, asthma, learning problems, and eventually cancer because they contain PFAS, other hormone-disrupting chemicals, and lead. She explains why claims that these materials are proven safe are inaccurate, and that most of the chemicals in these products are not publicly reported or tested. Children can be exposed day after day and year after year, and very young children get the residue on their hands and may put pieces of the recycled rubber tire crumb in their mouths, ears, and noses. Engineered wood fiber is the safe, ADA compliant alternative.
Read More »Artificial Turf and Playground Surfaces
NCHR Letter to Kensington MD About the Dangers of Rubber Playground Surfaces
October 8, 2025: NCHR was asked to send information to the Mayor and other officials of Kensington, Maryland for their town meeting to consider whether to install new playgrounds made from PIP, a type of artificial rubber surface that has a layer of recycled tire waste underneath. Our letter explains that the tire waste contains lead and all of the rubber used has chemicals that disrupt a child’s hormones. These playground surfaces are also dangerously hot, which is harmful to children and adults supervising them, and to the environment.
Read More »NCHR Follow-up to DC Council Environmental Health Hazards Roundtable
May 19, 2025: NCHR submitted a letter for the hearing record for the D.C. Council roundtable about environmental and safety hazards in DC parks and playgrounds. Our letter provided the requested information in response to questions about whether artificial turf is recycled and shared additional information about research indicating the presence of heavy metals on rubber playground surfaces.
Read More »Letter to Washington D.C. officials about importance of maintaining a natural grass field
February 20, 2025: NCHR letter to the Washington D.C. Department of General Services emphasizing the public health importance of maintaining a natural grass field instead of artificial turf at Lafayette Elementary.
Read More »Letter to Santa Clara Officials on Artificial Turf and Playground Surfaces
Letter from NCHR President Dr. Diana Zuckerman to public health officials in Santa Clara, California about the dangers of artificial turf and playground surfaces including extreme heat and toxic exposure.
Read More »