Video: Safety concerns greet San Juan Island students

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FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. - Parents on San Juan Island are worried that the Friday Harbor Elementary School playground could be hazardous to their kids' health.

The playground contains "crumb rubber," tiny bits of recycled tires that cushion kids' falls and keep tons of tires out of local landfills.

"The petroleum that's in there. The carcinogens and apparently 49 different chemicals are emitted," said Tanja Williamson.

Crumb rubber has been banned in Sweden and Germany. Connecticut and New Jersey are taking second looks as well.

Parents in Friday Harbor say they're worried about long term exposure risks that haven't been studied.

"You know we thought DDT was great and asbestos was great, but those were unknowns and they weren't tested long term," said Annalisa Lindstrum. "And I don't feel comfortable with my child or any child being a guinea pig."

Crumb rubber has been used on school playgrounds across the state for about 15 years with no reported problems.

The material is considered safe by the state Department of Health, but the San Juan Island School District is having it tested to see whether parents' concerns are legitimate.

"As far as the toxic issues, we need more research and that's what this will bring about," said Gary Pflueger, Friday Harbor Elementary principal.

The crumb rubber cost more than $10,000 to install and school officials say if it is replaced it will likely be up to the PTA to come up with the money.

A public meeting on the issue is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Friday Harbor Elementary.