Rubber mulch is generally considered safe for kids' playgrounds due to its excellent shock absorption, reducing injury risk, but concerns exist about potential chemical exposure from recycled tires, with studies finding carcinogens and toxins that release more on hot days, leading agencies to recommend high-quality, tested products and cautioning against inhaling fumes or prolonged skin contact, especially in heat. While it meets safety standards (like ASTM), ongoing research suggests choosing reputable brands that minimize chemical risks for the best safety.
Before any shredding happens, quality control tests avoid variable toxicity and ensure all federal and state safety requirements are met. Every piece of rubber used in the final product is non-toxic, resulting in a safe surface for your children and peace of mind for you.
It is abundantly clear from the scientific literature that rubber should not be used as a landscape amendment or mulch. There is no question that toxic substances leach from rubber as it degrades, contaminating the soil, landscape plants, and associated aquatic systems.
Playground Mulch
The type designed for playgrounds is often called engineered wood fiber. It's made without bark, twigs, or other foreign materials, so the surface is cleaner and safer for kids. One of the biggest advantages of engineered wood fiber is that it can meet ADA requirements.
Rubber mulch has a few downsides, including its high initial cost, flammability, and potential harm to humans or the environment.
Yes, rubber mulch is safe for landscaping, playgrounds, equestrian footing, and many other applications. While rubber mulch is gaining in popularity everyday, when it comes to landscaping rubber mulch has been successfully in use for landscaping applications for 20+ years.
Mulching Around Plants
Thin, fine particles such as shredded bark or compost typically make the best mulch for plants. Spread the mulch at a thickness of no more than three inches around the base of plant, being sure to leave about one to two inches of space near the stem.
Kid-Safe™ Playground Mulch is an engineered wood fiber/hardwood chip that has been specifically designed by the manufacturer to meet the stringent requirements of several certifying agencies. Essentially, Kid-Safe™ Playground Mulch acts as a cushion that breaks falls.
Finally, avoid large, bark type mulch or big wood chips. Since these big pieces take a long time to decompose, and they end up depriving the soil and plants of nutrients.
Rainbow Mulch is the leading non-toxic rubber mulch surface for playgrounds. Tire rubber is commonly found in other rubber mulch products. Rainbow Mulch is 100% free of tire rubber and made with 0% recycled materials.
Rubber mulch offers better impact absorption than wood chips, making it a good option for safety surfacing. One common concern about rubber mulch is the presence of volatile organic compounds. However, a recent EPA study has found that while rubber mulch does contain VOCs, the detectable levels are generally low.
Rubber Mulch
It is rated as the safest ground cover on the market as it provides superior drainage, minimizes dust, repels insects and most importantly absorbs fall impact, keeping your children safe.
Yes, the smell of rubber mulch tends to fade away over time. As the mulch weathers and becomes integrated into the environment, its initial odor becomes less noticeable and eventually inconsequential. This is similar to the way the smell of other new products diminishes with time and use.
Keep children from playing in bare dirt or mulch. Cover bare dirt with grass, bushes or 4 to 6 inches of lead-free wood chips, mulch, soil or sand.
Ground rubber also contains a class of chemicals called Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that many studies have found extremely toxic to humans and the environment. Research has also found that the toxicity of leachate from the rubber tire mulch increases over time as the rubber breaks down.
Attracts pests: Because mulch is organic, it can draw pests such as termites and carpenter ants. These insects may eventually find their way into nearby structures.
Also, due to the recycled nature of the mulch there may be small amounts of unwanted material such as shredded rubbish. This product may contain microorganisms, avoid breathing dust – wear particulate mask if dusty.
ASome flowers like tamarind, babool, and rubber plants are said to attract negative energy, as per Vastu. These plants are said to carry bad influences and evil spirits into houses, causing personal and financial miseries. Thorny plants and dying or dead ones are also said to be unlucky.
Cons of Rubber Mulch
The most common kinds of playground mulch are rubber mulch, wood chips, bark mulch, and pea gravel. Each has advantages and drawbacks, but overall, they're all good options for your playground.
Wood chips are also a natural-looking, organic choice for your commercial playground. You can get mulch in brown, which is most popular, but also black as well. They are easy to install and are generally a low-cost option -- relatively inexpensive at $60 to $70 per yard installed -- so they won't break your budget.
Dyed wood mulch may have some aesthetic appeal, but is usually made of shredded pallets which offers little to no nutrients to the soil when the chips break down. Inorganic Mulching with rocks, plastic barriers, or rubber should be avoided.
While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather. Some kinds of mulch may even repel termites.
Cedar mulch is highly effective at repelling pests due to its natural insecticidal properties, enhancing both pest control and soil health. Cypress and melaleuca mulches offer durable pest protection and require less frequent replenishment, making them convenient choices for gardeners.
In conclusion, playground rubber mulch is a safe, sustainable, and durable option for playgrounds. It's designed to provide a soft landing for children, reducing the risk of injuries. Plus, it's made from recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly choice.