Surrey: crumb rubber putting the environment at risk

Chemicals used in sports fields in Surrey could endanger the local environment. The warning comes from retired biologist John Werring, who says that large volumes of crumb rubber were recently scrapped off artificial turf fields when city authorities cleared them of snow. Crumb rubber is made from recycled car tyres and is mainly used in artificial turf fields, including those for sporting activities, as a shock absorbent. According to Werring, rain on accumulated piles leaks the material into storm drains and through them into rivers and other water sources. The rubber contains a chemical known as 6PPD-quinone which is deadly for fish, especially the juvenile coho salmon. Werring said he alerted the authorities about the issue but to no avail. In a statement, the City of Surrey said the crumb rubber piles are the result of usual snow clearing work and that the infill material used on local artificial turf fields is tested against provincial and national safety standards. It also said that they have catch basins and slit drains in place to stop any material from reaching fish habitat. However, Werring contested the statement and claimed that some toxic material had already made its way to a nearby creek.