Latest news with #rubbermulch
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mum sparks debate by refusing to let toddler use playground over ‘toxic' floor concerns as some urge her to ‘let it go'
A MUM has sparked a furious debate after issuing a warning to other parents over playgrounds with a 'toxic' floor. The woman said she has banned her toddler from play areas that have a rubber mulch surface. 3 Taking to Reddit, she shared how she is planning a visit to her parents, who had bought their granddaughter a 'huge expensive playground' as a treat. However, while she was grateful for the gesture, she raised her concerns about the flooring which is made from shredded car tyres. Rubber mulch is widely used in schools and parks across the UK, and is popular for its shock-absorbent, 'bouncy' properties, and for not providing a risk of splinters, unlike wooden chips. The mum said on the forum: 'Unfortunately she installed it over the pressed rubber mulch surface which I'm avoiding for my toddler. 'There's no returning the playground or moving it anywhere else. 'Is there any way to cover it that makes it safe or am I destined to play the most ungrateful daughter and the most evil fun hating grinch of a mother for the duration of these two weeks?' The woman said her mum ordered the rubber mulch deeming it to be harmless, but claims it could pose a serious threat to her toddler. She claimed: 'I know rubber mulch is made of recycled tires and who knows what else and is linked to cancer, so it's the last thing I want my toddler to play on all day every day for two weeks.' RUBBER RISKS It's not the first time that concern has been raised about rubber mulch flooring. Barefoot Lawn Care claimed that it has the potential to release hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals like lead, zinc, and mercury. New seafront playground with unreal view and incredible theme opens minutes from busy city Meanwhile, according to the Environmental Protection Agency in America, 'benzene, mercury, styrene-butadiene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and arsenic, among several other chemicals, heavy metals and carcinogens, have been found in tyres", according to NBC News. They state that the release of chemicals can occur with heat and UV exposure, which could be dangerous for kids who come into contact with it. However, a 2024 study, it was found that 'although chemicals are present (as expected) in the tyre crumb rubber and exposures can occur, they are likely limited.' 3 PARENTING DEBATE The Reddit post sparked a furious debate in the comments, with many people split in their opinions. Some said the mum should relax and let her child play on the play area. One wrote: 'Just watch your baby so they aren't eating it. Your baby doesn't live there so two weeks of exposure isn't that bad. 'Wash baby's hands before eating.' Another added: 'I think the risk of harm that this may cause your relationship with your mom by making a big deal out of it is far greater than the risk of harm of your daughter playing on rubber mulch. 'What a generous gift! Let your daughter play and don't give it a second of your worry.' A third said: 'The truth is there's only so much you can control. What if your daughter's school has rubber mulch and she wants to play with her friends? 'You have to let some things go.' However, one person queried: 'Would you be open to paying to replace the mulch?' RUBBER HELL Earlier this year, a family in Norfolk was forced to flee their home after a local play area was renovated. Zoe Rowntree, 43, and her 16-year-old son, who have a severe latex allergy, were left struggling to breathe when the old rubber safety matting was ripped out to be replaced by shredded tires. The family were given emergency accommodation but fear they won't be able to return home due to their reaction to the new mulch. Zoe claimed the situation had arisen as the council had refused to spend an extra £30,000 on a latex-free surface. Meanwhile, council officials were forced to close a play area in Brighton after the black rubber mulch surface was wearing much faster than expected, causing its dye to stain skin and clothes, with some parents worried about its toxins. What school fines can parents receive? THE main issue that can lead to parents receiving a fine is missing school. Currently, it's the decision of the local council whether or not to issue a parent a fine for their child missing school. However, from August this year, the fine for absences will up to the school to consider - when a child has missed 10 or more sessions for unauthorised reasons. And the fine will be £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days - this is issued to EACH parent. It's the first time the fine has been increased since 2012, and is in line with inflation. If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within three years, this will automatically be charged at the higher rate of £160. Fines will be capped at two fines within a three-year period. After this limit has been reached, prosecution or a parenting order may be considered. According to the official government website, there are only five reasons your child should be absent from school if the school is open. These are as follows: Your child is too ill to attend that day You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on that day due to exceptional circumstances Your child cannot attend school on that day because it is a day you are taking part in religious observance Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child's transport to school and it is not available on that day or has not been provided yet You are a gypsy/traveller family with no fixed abode, and you are required to travel for work that day meaning your child cannot attend their usual school
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Mom issues eerie warning after spotting 'secret killer' lurking in playground at grandma's house
A mom has warned of a silent killer that may be lurking in your child's playground. The distraught mother explained in a recent Reddit post that she, her husband, and young daughter went to visit her parents 'in another country' last month. She said her mom had gotten a new, expensive playground for her toddler to enjoy during the two week trip. Her mom covered the ground below the playground with shredded car tires in an attempt to stop the youngster from falling and skinning any knees. But unfortunately, the Reddit user explained that what her mom believed was a harmless and soft object to put on the ground is actually something that could pose a serious threat to her toddler. 'My husband and I are visiting our parents for two weeks, they are living in another country and my mom got so excited to see her granddaughter she got her a huge expensive playground,' she wrote in the post, which was shared last month. 'Unfortunately, she installed it over the pressed rubber mulch surface, which I'm avoiding for my toddler. There's no returning the playground or moving it anywhere else. 'I know rubber mulch is made of recycled tires and who knows what else and is linked to cancer, so it's the last thing I want my toddler to play on all day, every day for two weeks.' She then begged the internet for help, asking: 'Is there any way to cover it that makes it safe, or am I destined to play the most ungrateful daughter and the most evil fun-hating Grinch of a mother for the duration of these two weeks?' The mom was right to be concerned, as rubber mulch has been said to have a potential to release hazardous chemicals, per Barefoot Lawn Care. This includes heavy metals like lead, zinc, mercury, and more. The Environmental Protection Agency has found that the release of chemicals can happen under heat and UV exposure, causing a risk for children who play on it. A 2024 study found that it 'supported the conclusion that although chemicals are present (as expected) in the tire crumb rubber and exposures can occur, they are likely limited.' The woman's post sparked a heated conversation about hidden dangers, and people in the comments had a mixed reaction to the mother's concern. One user suggested: 'Just watch your baby so they aren't eating it. Your baby doesn't live there, so two weeks of exposure isn't that bad. Wash baby's hands before eating.' 'It's two weeks out of her long life. I say it's fine. Agree with washing hands after playing and try not to eat it,' someone else wrote. Another asked, 'Would you be open to paying to replace the mulch?' Others weren't as sympathetic to her worry, with a user writing, 'The truth is there's only so much you can control. 'What if your daughter's school has rubber mulch and she wants to play with her friends? You have [to] let some things go.' 'I think the risk of harm that this may cause your relationship with your mom by making a big deal out of it is far greater than the risk of harm to your daughter playing on rubber mulch,' another comment read. 'What a generous gift! Let your daughter play and don't give it a second of your worry.' Due to the dangers of shredded tires, one family in the UK was forced to flee their home following renovations on a local playground. Zoe Rowntree, 43, and her 16-year-old son, who both have a latex allergy, were left struggling to breathe when rubber safety matting was ripped out of the old playground opposite their home. The reaction led to Zoe, her husband, Keith, and both her sons having to leave their three-bedroom home last weekend before work started to install a new surface made from shredded tires. The family has been given emergency accommodation, but fear they will never be able to return home because of the risk of Zoe and her son suffering even more serious reactions to the new mulch.
