Should Synthetic Turf, Rubber Flooring and Old Tires Be Banned From Playgrounds in 2025?

A coalition of Israeli environmental organizations is calling for a ban on synthetic grass, rubber flooring, and recycled tire materials in kindergartens, schools, and public parks, citing research linking these materials to toxic and carcinogenic chemical exposure. The groups point to an upcoming European Union restriction as evidence that regulators elsewhere are moving faster than Israel to protect children from these materials, according to reporting by The Times of Israel.

This kind of concern isn't limited to playgrounds. PFAS Authority's own scoring of 2,092 products found that 44% fail its PFAS and toxin screen, a reminder that "forever chemicals" and other concerning additives show up across a wide range of everyday and public-space products, not just synthetic turf. You can search our product finder to see how specific brands and categories score.

What Happened?

Green organizations in Israel have formally petitioned for restrictions on synthetic grass, rubber flooring, and repurposed tire crumb material used as ground cover in playgrounds, schoolyards, and parks. Their argument rests on a growing body of research suggesting these materials can off-gas or leach chemicals, including compounds associated with cancer risk, particularly as they age, heat up in the sun, or break down under foot traffic. The organizations specifically cite the European Union's coming restrictions on similar materials as a benchmark that Israeli regulators should match or exceed, per The Times of Israel.

Who and What Is Affected?

The primary concern centers on young children, who spend significant time playing directly on synthetic turf and rubber surfacing, often in close contact with skin, hands, and mouths. Kindergartens, elementary schools, and municipal parks that have installed these materials, often chosen for their low maintenance and durability, are the direct focus of the proposed ban. Facility operators, school districts, and municipalities that budgeted for synthetic surfaces as a long-term investment could face pressure to replace them if restrictions move forward.

It's worth noting that recycled tire crumb rubber, in particular, is manufactured from end-of-life tires that were never designed with child contact in mind. The chemical additives used in tire manufacturing, including compounds meant to prevent degradation from heat and UV exposure, are the substances researchers and advocates say warrant closer scrutiny.

Why Does This Matter?

Synthetic turf, rubber playground flooring, and tire-derived surfacing have become common fixtures in public spaces worldwide because they're cheaper to maintain than grass and reduce injury risk from falls compared to asphalt or concrete. But the tradeoff, according to the organizations behind this petition, is potential chemical exposure that accumulates over years of repeated contact, an association raised by the cited research rather than a settled, proven cause of specific illnesses.

This is part of a broader pattern PFAS Authority tracks, many product categories marketed on durability, weather-resistance, or low-maintenance qualities turn out to rely on chemical treatments that raise long-term concern. In our own scoring, entire categories such as camping tents and tarps, waterproof mascara, ski and snowboard jackets, cycling rain jackets, and rain jackets showed 100% failure rates against our PFAS and toxin screen. These aren't laboratory test results our methodology scores products based on published ingredients, materials, certifications, and manufacturer disclosures, which means the real picture could be better or worse depending on what companies choose to share.

That transparency gap is itself a concern. Some major brands, including Dove, KitchenAid, Amazon Basics, Clinique, Verb, Garnier Fructis, Cantu, and Vanicream, currently disclose nothing about PFAS in their products, according to PFAS Authority's research, making it difficult for consumers or institutions to make informed choices without independent scoring.

What Should You Do?

If you're a parent, ask your child's school or daycare what playground surfacing materials are installed and whether the manufacturer has published any chemical disclosure or certification data. If you sit on a municipal parks board or school facilities committee, consider requesting documentation on rubber or turf sourcing before renewing contracts or installing new surfaces.

For products you buy directly, clothing, cosmetics, kitchenware, use PFAS Authority's finder to check how specific items and brands score before purchasing. Favor products with clear, verifiable disclosures over those with none, and treat "low-maintenance" or "weatherproof" marketing claims as a cue to look closer rather than a guarantee of safety.

Bottom Line

Environmental organizations are pushing Israel to restrict synthetic turf, rubber flooring, and tire-based materials in places children frequent, pointing to research associations with toxic and carcinogenic exposure and to the EU's incoming restrictions as precedent. No material discussed here should be considered flatly "safe" or flatly "dangerous", the science reflects associations that warrant caution and further regulation, not proven individual harm. Until clearer rules and better disclosure exist, checking materials and asking questions remains the most practical step available to parents, schools, and municipalities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does synthetic turf definitely cause cancer?

No. Current research cited by advocacy groups points to associations between chemical exposure from synthetic turf and rubber materials and cancer risk, not a proven causal link. Regulators, including the EU, are moving toward restrictions based on precautionary concern rather than definitive proof of harm.

Is rubber playground flooring worse than synthetic grass?

Both are flagged in this petition, largely because both often incorporate recycled tire material or similar chemical additives. Neither has been shown to carry uniformly higher or lower risk in the reporting available; the concern applies broadly to tire-derived and synthetic materials used as ground cover.

How does PFAS Authority score products if it doesn't lab-test them?

PFAS Authority scores products using published ingredient lists, material disclosures, and third-party certifications rather than independent laboratory testing. This approach is explained in detail in our methodology, and it means scores reflect what's publicly disclosed, brands with no disclosure, like several noted above, can be harder to evaluate confidently.