Is Rubber Mulch toxic?
Rubber mulch is not toxic. In fact studies conducted by Maryland Environmental Services rubber much can even be swallowed, and pass straight through the digestive system of both humans and animals without harming them. Colored chips are also manufactured using non toxic colorings too. Even the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) approves of rubber mulch, as they are impressed by the production of rubber mulch, which means that non-biodegradable products are recycled and reused instead of ending up on the landfill site.
Doesn’t rubber mulch have steel in it that can hurt children and harm horses hooves?
Today’s rubber mulch granules are small rubber chips that are not likely to still have steel wire in them. The best rubber mulch producing companies also have state of the art magnet installed in the production process. This enables these top companies to guarantee that their rubber mulch is 99.99% free of steel.
Just How Safe is Rubber Mulch?
Rubber mulch is the safest surface that can be used for playground and equestrian surfaces as tested by many state and federal agencies like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These agencies have completed many studies and tests measuring the shock absorption rates of different surfaces. The one surface keeps coming out on top is rubber mulch. Rubber mulch beats sand, other types of mulch, bluestone and shavings. It reduces the impact when a child falls and helps prevent arthritis in horses legs.
What about surfaces made from other rubber materials?
This is answered in the Under Foot 2000 edition: “Rubber for footing applications is generally made from recycled tires. There are rubber footings available made from products such as sneakers, golf grips, conveyor belts, and lacrosse balls. However, compared to tire rubber they are lighter weight and tend to blow or wash away and will break down over time”
So you can see that rubber mulch is indeed a good surfacing choice for both playgrounds and equestrian surfacing, with the further added benefits of rubber mulch being indestructible so it doesn’t fall part or decay, it doesn’t freeze as it doesn’t retain moisture and is practically dust free.
