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Restricting PAHs in granules and mulches

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced plans to improve the environmental footprint of sports pitches that use plastic or rubber granules as infill material which contain chemicals which could pose a potential health risk.

Following a request from the European Commission, the ECHA assessed the health risks and published its findings in February 2017 concluding there was a very low level of concern and highlighted some uncertainties that warranted further investigation.

A study in the Netherlands recommended further reductions in the legal concentration limits of cancer-causing PAHs in infill material. The restriction was supported by the European Commission and EU Member States in 2020 and adopted by the Commission in July 2021. The new rules apply in the EU/EEA from 10 August 2022.

The ECHA has been asked to assess the risks to children from PAHs in granules and mulches in playgrounds and other domestic applications.

To read the full article, visit the ECHA website.