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Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 12 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 January 2026 (named day). It was answered by Josh MacAlister (Labour) on Thursday, 15 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Schools: Sports

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the risk of using rubber crumb infill in synthetic turf pitches in schools, in light of the ban on safety grounds on disposing of shredded tyre material in landfill sites and with reference to possible (a) inhalation, (b) ingestion and (c) skin absorption of toxic particles.

Answer

Responsible bodies are responsible for managing premises, including for health and safety. They should ensure risk assessments are conducted and measures taken to minimise known critical risks, following Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.

Guidance on promoting good hygiene when taking part in physical activity is available to schools at: https://resources.thegma.org.uk/sportshygiene.

The department’s technical guidance, due to be updated early 2026, outlines alternative pitch materials. While primarily intended for new build schools, this advice is available for wider use and outlines the merits of each material.

The department continues to work with other government departments, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Culture Media and Sport, the UK Health Security Agency and HSE, to ensure any advice and guidance in this area aligns with best practice and the latest scientific evidence.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
104608
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Hazardous substances Facilities Safety Schools Sports
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk