The agency for years has recommended the use of shredded tires for public recreational purposes, but data gaps and conflicting opinions about toxicological risks have the agency re-examining the issue.

"Where we are right now is, we just don´t have a recommendation," EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said. "I wish we did."

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, an advocacy group whose members include state and federal environmental professionals, released internal EPA documents June 4 that raise questions about potential health risks from children ingesting or inhaling toxic chemicals found within tires, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and hydrocarbons. In addition, the agency is looking into possible lead contamination of artificial turf, which frequently is manufactured with shredded tires among its components. The lead is believed to come from pigments that make the surfaces green. An EPA workgroup is looking at both issues.

"We´ve got a scoping survey, which is nearing completion," Kemery said. "That´s a small-scale survey, which is intended to find out if there is a potential human health or environmental problem with artificial turf and from rubber fields," Kemery said.

Once the agency has the results back, it will have a better idea of what to do next, he said. However, he said he didn’t know when the survey results would be available.

Meanwhile, agencies are issuing contradictory advice to consumers, according to PEER. The Centers for Disease Control in June 2008 issued an advisory for potential lead exposure from artificial turf. Meanwhile, weeks later, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a press release downplaying the lead risk, saying the findings were based on very limited testing, according to PEER.

Among the EPA documents PEER released was an internal memo from Stephen Tuber, the EPA assistant regional administrator in Denver, in which he expressed concerns about a lack of data about possible toxicological risks to children.

In Tuber´s January 2008 memo, he noted the EPA recommends the use of recycled tire crumb for various applications, including playground surfaces. However, he said it "would be prudent for EPA to look further into its safety and make sure that there is a scientific basis for EPA´s promotion of certain uses of the product."

PEER also called for the agency to do more.

"Despite growing concerns of its own scientists, EPA has issued no public statement of caution and still promotes tire crumbs in playgrounds," PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch said.

PEER sent a letter dated May 29 to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking she formally revoke the agency´s endorsement of tire crumb until the research concludes it is safe for children. The group also wants the EPA to issue an interim public health advisory and outline a coordinated plan to work with other agencies on assessing possible risks.

A spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association, a trade group, said the association believes recycled tires are safe for recreational purposes and accused opponents of waging a "misinformation campaign."

"The inference is they are looking for data gaps," RMA Senior Vice President Michael Blumenthal said of EPA scientists. "I do not assume that to mean they are having second thoughts or that they would come out with anything negative.

"I think the opponents are jumping on anything, any news that comes out. They are just prepared with their canned statements and their lack of evidence to continue the misinformation campaign they are waging."

Blumenthal pointed to several studies that concluded using recycled rubber for recreational purposes does not pose health risks.