Tire-Derived Resilient Floor Study

With over 39 million waste tires generated annually in California, the CIWMB is responsible for promoting the diversion of waste tires from landfill disposal and illegal stockpiling. Tire-derived resilient flooring products can incorporate recycled waste tires. These products are generally recommended for spaces over 2,000 square feet, such as auditoriums and boardrooms. Since these products have not been promoted for wide-use indoors, the CIWMB commissioned a tire-derived resilient flooring study.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate long-term emissions and develop Indoor Eight-hour Reference Exposure Levels (iREL) for chemicals emitted from tire-derived resilient flooring products. The Department of Health Services (DHS) will act as the Principal Investigator to perform the emissions testing for this study. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is developing the iRELs, which are "safe" air concentrations that chemicals cannot exceed to protect public health. This information can help manufacturers formulate products that contribute to good indoor air quality.

One of the main goals of this study is to ensure that tire-derived resilient flooring products contribute to healthy indoor living and working environments. Recycled tire products could then be recommended for wider indoor usage, increasing their market share and facilitating the greater recycling of tires throughout the state.

Last updated: October 12, 2007