Artificial turf containing crumb rubber pellets, and used on sports fields and school playgrounds throughout the United States will be investigated by three federal agencies. On February 12, Friday the Environmental Protection Agency (EPC) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced an action plan to study the health risks of synthetic turf produced from recycled tires.

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The federal investigation will also include the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye shared that some of the government's best scientists will study the contents of recycled tire crumb, and learn if it is harmful for young athletes who are exposed to it, according to NBC News.

The study will involve top scientists testing different varieties of crumb rubber. They will examine the chemical compounds in them and learn if they are released after a person contacts the manmade material.

Three weeks ago two U.S. Senators asked President Barack Obama to launch a study of the playing surface and argued parents and athletes should know if exposure to crumb rubber turf is dangerous. They included Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).  

The crumb rubber industry argues that studies have not linked the recycled rubber and health risks. However, activists and some parents want more testing by federal regulators.

 Jon and Laura Damm are Virginia environmental lawyers who praised the announcement. They are also parents who have pushed for the end of crumb rubber fields.

Jon is a lacrosse player and coach. He said that the federal study of rubber crumb fields provides hope because past studies were not complete.

The industry group Synthetic Turf Council also stated it supports the federal investigation. However, it argued that smaller studies show that crumb rubber filler is not linked to health problems.

The multi-agency group explained that after collecting data about tire crumb scientists can compare the data with current databases to learn the health effects of the chemicals. They will create a report by the end of this year.

In 2014 NBC reported on a possible link between rubber crumb turf and spiking cancer rates among soccer players. Most of the athletes got blood cancers, according to Forbes.

This video takes up the possible link between rubber crumb fields and cancer: