Are Gym Floors Toxic?
The answer to the question, “Are Gym Floors Toxic?”, should just be a simple “No”. But, sometimes the answer is “Yes”. And, that’s of great concern to parents of school age children. Parents expect their children’s schools to be safe. After all, the lead paint and asbestos were removed long ago. So, why are some schools still making students and staff sick?
As civilization has progressed, we’ve made some unhealthy and sometimes deadly choices along the way. One of those was the use of mercury as a medicine and then as an ingredient in other products. And, one of the materials that mercury found it’s way into was rubberized or cushioned gym flooring. But, the mercury didn’t stay in the flooring. It was absorbed into the skin and also inhaled as it became air born.
The subject, “Are Gym Floors Toxic?” recently had a few seconds of national media coverage. This came when Spotlight on America interviewed coach Melissa McNally about a gym floor that she believes caused her kidney cancer. Spotlight then sent the story to about a hundred local TV stations where it was broadcast in April 2022.
Neurotoxin
Trisha Dello Iacono reports that her son Liam has had numerous health problems that she has found are all related to mercury toxicity. She indicated that her son’s symptoms included skin rashes, behavioral, and neurological disorders. The EPA lists mercury as a neurotoxin. And, based on form, level, and duration of exposure, mercury is known to cause neurological disorders. But, it can also cause damage to the kidneys and lungs.
Toxic Waste Site
As part of this news story, Spotlight interviewed environmental hygienist Allen Barkhume, who related the mercury in cushioned gym floors to lead in water. Barkhume went on to say that these gyms with mercury laden floors are a “Toxic Waste Site”. Indeed, the mercury levels require remediation crews to fully suit up in haz mat gear when removing the floors.
“Once you discover you’ve got that much mercury in your floor, you’re now standing on a toxic waste site. It’s a very jarring juxtaposition to consider that yesterday, my kids were playing tag in this gym, and today it’s completely sealed off, only inhabited by folks in hazmat suits…”
What is Being Done?
Barkhume advises that all rubberized flooring should be tested. But, according to the research done by Spotlight, only a few states have set guidelines for mercury exposure. Indeed, we see rubberized and cushioned floors installed all the time. We can only hope that manufacturers are no longer using mercury as one of the ingredients in these floors. And, according to Barkhume, manufacturers are not required to disclose ingredients which have a lower percentage in the overall product formulation. We believe that it will be parents of sick children who will ultimately steer schools to do the testing.
The Other Reason
Rubberized and cushioned floors are simply dangerous surfaces for sports like basketball and volleyball. This is the other reason that we advise clients to avoid them at all costs. The rubberized polyurethane floors are too slick. And, the cushioned vinyl floors have too much grip. Both extremes cause countless injuries to both players and coaches. So, we’ve advised against these surfaces for a long time and will continue to do so.
To learn more about gym flooring or to find out what floor is right for your facility,
please see “What is the Best Gym Floor” and “What is the Safest Gym Floor”.
To learn more about Sport Court® gym flooring or to get our expert assistance laying out your gym,
please contact South Texas Sport Court.
