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Release of particles, organic compounds, and metals from crumb rubber used in synthetic turf under chemical and physical stress

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Abstract

The chemical and morphological characteristics of materials released under chemical and physical stress by different rubber granulates used as infill materials in synthetic turf (recycled scrap tires, natural rubber, and a new-generation thermoplastic elastomer) were compared.

The headspace solid-phase micro-extraction GC-MS analysis evidenced that at 70 °C natural rubber and thermoplastic elastomer release amounts of organic species much higher than recycled scrap tires. In particular, the desorption of mineral oils, with a prevalence of toxicologically relevant low-viscosity alkanes in the range C17–C22, and plasticizers (diisobutyl phthalate) was clearly evidenced. The new-generation thermoplastic elastomer material also releases butylated hydroxytoluene.

In slightly acidic conditions, quite high amounts of bio-accessible Zn, Cu, and Co are released from recycled scrap tires, while natural rubber releases mainly Se and Tl. In contrast, the thermoplastic elastomer does not contain significant concentrations of leachable heavy metals.

The formation of small particles, also in the inhalable fraction, was evidenced by electron microscopy after mechanical or thermal treatment of natural rubber.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention, contract n. Prot. AOO-20/0001902/09. Dr. Angelo Marini is gratefully acknowledged for his valuable collaboration. Authors gratefully acknowledge Golden Plast S.p.A. (Potenza Picena, Italy) for providing the TPE new-generation material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Silvia Canepari, Maria Luisa Astolfi, Stefano Materazzi & Roberta Curini

  2. Local Office of Aosta, INAIL-Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority, Corso Padre Lorenzo, 18, 11100, Aosta, Italy

    Paola Castellano

  3. Department of Occupational Hygiene, INAIL-Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority, Research Area, via Fontana Candida 1, 00040 Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy

    Riccardo Ferrante

  4. Chemistry Division, School of Science and Technology, University of Camerino, V. S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, MC, Italy

    Dennis Fiorini

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  1. Silvia Canepari
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  2. Paola Castellano
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  3. Maria Luisa Astolfi
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  4. Stefano Materazzi
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Correspondence to Silvia Canepari.

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Responsible editor: Roland Kallenborn

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Canepari, S., Castellano, P., Astolfi, M.L. et al. Release of particles, organic compounds, and metals from crumb rubber used in synthetic turf under chemical and physical stress. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 1448–1459 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0377-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0377-4

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