WJLA: Full Report - Do these local athletic fields cause cancer?

WASHINGTON — It's on as many as 12,000 fields across the country, including at least 50 public school facilities in the Washington area. But the black crumb rubber infill that comes home stuck to your kids' uniforms and in their cleats could be more than just an annoyance. The 7 On Your Side I-Team is digging into major health concerns about the turf your kids are playing on, questioning why federal studies aren't being done even though experts wonder whether crumb rubber could have a cancer link.
As a former University of Maryland and professional goalkeeper, Steve Powers spent more than half his life guarding the goal. But these days he's more concerned about protecting his kid and athletes like the ones he cares for as the Athletic Director at the Sandy Spring Friends School. Powers' goal, he says, is simple.
"I'd like to be part of the solution in moving schools and parks and other facilities away from crumb rubber," said Powers.
Crumb rubber is shredded up tires that now cover the ground on thousands of athletic fields. It's popular because of its ability to aid in fast drainage, injury prevention and year-round field use. But as its use spreads nationwide, so do questions about its potential impact on health, especially for someone like Powers who spent years diving onto crumb rubber before getting cancer...



Note: Montgomery County continues to use crumb rubber on all of it's high school fields.