A recent study conducted by the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the University of Vienna revealed levels of toxic substances in indoor climbing gyms, posing health risks to athletes.
The research found that the air in these facilities is polluted by chemicals released from the friction of climbing shoes, with pollution levels comparable to those found in some of the world's most polluted cities.
"The levels we measured are among the highest ever documented worldwide, comparable to multi-lane roads in megacities," said Professor Thilo Hofmann, according to the news website 20 Minutes.
The study found that climbing shoes contain rubber compounds similar to those used in car tires, developed for maximum friction. These compounds include additives suspected of being harmful to humans and the environment.
In analyzing 30 pairs of climbing shoes, the research team identified fifteen additives, including 6PPD, a rubber stabilizer linked to salmon kills in rivers. "The soles of climbing shoes are high-performance products, just like car tires," explained Anya Sherman, first author of the study and an environmental scientist at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna.
The pollution primarily comes from the friction of climbing shoes, which wear down during activity, releasing toxic chemicals into the air and generating rubber particles that accumulate in dust. Additionally, magnesium carbonate, commonly used by climbers as a grip aid, contributes to the pollution in indoor climbing gyms.
The study underscores the necessity of ensuring proper ventilation in gyms to mitigate the risks associated with these toxic emissions. Without adequate ventilation, harmful chemicals from worn rubber soles can linger in the air, posing health risks to gym-goers. These chemicals are capable of dissolving in the air and being inhaled into the lungs, potentially causing lung inflammation, organ damage, respiratory diseases, and certain types of cancer.
Hofmann stressed the importance of taking immediate action. "These substances do not belong in the air we breathe. It makes sense to act before we know all the details about the risks, especially with regard to sensitive groups such as children," he said.
Despite the findings, the exact implications for human health remain uncertain.
Climbers are often unaware of the potential hazards associated with their sport. Many might notice black particles sticking to their shoes while gripping a boulder, but may not realize these particles are toxic and come from the rubber soles of climbing shoes. Manufacturers may also need to reconsider the materials used in climbing shoes. "Manufacturers are currently not sufficiently aware of the problem. The rubber they buy for their soles contains a cocktail of undesirable chemicals," said Hofmann.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.