Hi everyone, do you know that the wood mulch is a popular area for playground surfacing? These are often the swings and jungle gym where children play and where children sometimes fall. Wood mulch is preferred than most and has been tested to be safe. But it is the safest choice for children?
Wood mulch, often referred to as wood fibers, is a certified product that meets all applicable guidelines, the certification of ASTM, CPSC and Ipema. Wood mulch tested to be safe. But it was tested when the brand-new, perfectly leveled with depth, thawed, and unspoiled. It can be safe in the lab – but the kids play on the playground, not in the laboratory. What happens if the mulch is wet and compacted? What happens when the cool, moist, mulch dry out after the sun? It can no longer meet safety standards.
Some mulch is being marketed as the playing field is the same product is used for garden mulch. Wood fiber surface can be derived from recycled wood materials. The problem is, are wooden pallets of treated wood that has been proven toxic. It could contain nails or staples that will be torn mixed in the fertilizer. However, wood mulch is one of ‘safety’ of the most used area in the U.S..
The websites of the largest producers of wood mulch in the U.S. revealed. They have a long list of rejection.
Some quotes: According Zeager.com, “During freezing temperatures, all our field course less resilient, especially with poor drainage Restriction of the use of the correct region ..”
Fibar.com says: .. “There is fluid retention in Fibar system will freeze when the temperature drops below freezing mark sure the surface you are often in the winter if the frozen surface, damping properties Fibar impact of lost and for this reason, are not playgrounds be used. ”
They proposed to play closed for the month? Children do not refrain from using the playground in cold weather.
One would think that the wood mulch will be safe in the summer. But the wood mulch has been found dangerous in the dry summer season. Manufacturers stated that “during the dry season, it may be necessary at the surface of wood damp with water to provide sufficient water to fight flammable.”
Amerimulch.com explained that the spontaneous combustion of mulch is not a mystery, it is the natural result of chemical reactions in organic material. A CBS news article reports on the playground at a school in Arlington, Texas who spontaneously burst into flames and burning wood mulch.
Fortunately, there are no kids playing on the playground. One can always choose to apply flame retardant, but then there are more natural, chemical-free alternative.
Wood mulch simply not suitable for outdoor use – by his own admission manufacturers.
Zeager.com, a leading manufacturer of wood mulch site, it appears that the “mold unusual disturbance in the wood fiber mulch and wood products. Although the research is done for sure, the solution structures visible from the mold to avoid formation is not yet invented when the wood wet. fast bacteria and fungi colonized with bacteria that can feed on the slime molds, fungi, etc. The cause short-term solution is to create mushrooms and discard. ”
Safer playground surfaces to consider is rubber. It comes in solid, molded rubber, loose fill, and the type of rubber mulch. It makes playgrounds soft and tender – as a playground’d feel.
Rubber is the safest way to go, according to research by the EPA supports this statement. Rubber surface has been proven, even in the laboratory tests to the highest level of cushioning material of each surface.
Rubber surface does not freeze and harden. They do not maintain the level of danger in the summer heat. They are heavier than wood mulch, and refuse removal. They never break down or rot. They do not attract bacteria, and they do not retain moisture smooth. No denial.
Usually the rubber surface of rubber recycled 100%, the savings worth hundreds of tons “of rubber comes into landfills. The safest option for children is also one of the most environmentally friendly. Obama’s family chose recycled rubber product to play in the White House – fitting testimony to the age we live green.
In recent years, the playground is often directly into the concrete. It caused hundreds of thousands of serious injuries. Today, most have some sort of playground safety surface. However, more than 500 children visit emergency rooms every day due to an injury to play.
