Further Information on the use of Rubber Crumb in 3G artificial grass pitches
To help people understand more about the use of rubber crumb in 3G artificial grass pitches a series of FAQs have been prepared by the key stakeholders and these can downloaded from the link below.
June 2019 Stakeholder Group Rubber Crumb FAQs
The following is a joint statement produced by key stakeholders (DCMS, DEFRA, Sport England, the GMA, Football Foundation, The FA, RFL, SAPCA and England Rugby) on the use of rubber crumb in 3G pitches:
“Third generation or 3G artificial grass pitches are recognised as a durable, safe, year-round playing surfaces, able to withstand intensive use and all kinds of weather. They mean more people can benefit from all the associated social and health benefits of physical activity. Concerns have however been raised about the safety associated with these pitches and their constituent parts, most commonly the presence of rubber crumb. We take these concerns very seriously.
"We have monitored numerous independent scientific studies on this issue, which have reported a very low/negligible level of concern for human health as a result of 3G pitches and rubber crumb. Indeed, the European Chemicals Agency European Chemicals Regulatory Authority (ECHA) has recently published its own findings, following an extensive EU-wide study, and has found no reason to advise people against playing sport on 3G pitches with rubber crumb.
"The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA), the UK trade body for the sports pitch industry, is working to develop a voluntary industry standard that will provide restrictions that go above and beyond what is currently required for rubber crumb under European regulation, Sport England and leading sport governing bodies all support this approach and will continue to work with the industry to provide greater reassurance that pitches in this country are safe.”