Parents: Playground Rubber Mulch Is Toxic

School District Reviewing Concerns

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Some Duluth parents are seriously concerned about pieces of shredded rubber tires that blanket playground at elementary school in the Duluth School District.

The parents believe the rubber cushion is toxic and needs to be removed.
Duluth Parents for Healthy Playgrounds met Wednesday night to get informed, share concerns and find solutions.

“It scares me because I know about all the chemicals that are in used tires. I know that tires are hazardous waste. So we have ways to get rid of them. Special ways to get rid of them, but yet we are letting our children play in them,” said Jamie Parent, a parent at Lester Park Elementary.

Kerry Leider, the school district’s property and risk manager, says the rubber-engineered mulch was studied and installed in 2007 as the safest cushion to avoid injuries from falls, but that he said that doesn’t mean studies and opinions are the same six years later.

“I think we need to continue to have our eyes and ears open and listen to what those concerns are and understand the research and the background behind it and certainly heed any warnings that come from regulatory agencies,” said Leider.

Some parents say they want the rubber chips removed and replaced with wood chips.

Leider says that decision is too early and more conversations and research need to happen before action is taken – if any.