Government studies playground safety

SAN FRANCISCO—Concerns raised by Connecticut are playing a role in the federal government’s decision to study whether the use of synthetic turf for playgrounds is harmful.

Connecticut asked the Environmental Protection Agency to study the matter shortly after the EPA’s Denver regional office raised the issue of using ground-up tires.

The EPA is concluding a limited study of air and surface samples at four fake-surface fields and playgrounds that use recycled tires.

EPA scientists now have pointed to research suggesting potential hazards from repeated exposure to bits of shredded tire that can contain cancer-causing substances and other chemicals.