Toxicological Assessment of Coated versus Uncoated Rubber Granulates Obtained from Used Tires Aiming to its Use in Sport Facilities

João F. P. Gomes; Mota, H; Bordado, J; Cadete, M; Sarmento, G; Ribeiro, A; Baiao, M; Fernandes, J; Pampulim, V; Custodio, M; Veloso, I

Key information

Authors:

João F. P. Gomes (João Fernando Pereira Gomes); Mota, H (Helena Isabel Vilela da Mota); Bordado, J (João Carlos Moura Bordado); Cadete, M (Maria Manuela Cadete); Sarmento, G (Georgina Maria Sarmento Felisberto); Ribeiro, A (Antonieta Canéco Ribeiro); Baiao, M (Miguel Mendes Silva Baião); Fernandes, J; Pampulim, V; Custodio, M; Veloso, I

Published in

2010

Abstract

Reuse of tire crumb in sport facilities is currently a very cost-effective waste management measure. Considering that incorporation of the waste materials in artificial turf would be facilitated if the rubber materials were already colored green, coatings were specifically developed for this purpose. This paper presents an experimental toxicological and environmental assessment aimed at comparing the obtained emissions to the environment in terms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and ecotoxicity for coated and noncoated rubber granulates. This study is a comprehensive evaluation of the major potential critical factors related with the release of all of these classes of pollutants because previous studies were not systematically performed. It was concluded that between the two types of coatings tested, one is particularly effective in reducing emissions to the environment, simultaneously meeting the requirements of adherence and color stability.