In order to determine whether substances in rubber granulate have an impact on human health, it is important to investigate whether substances can be released from rubber granulate. Then, an analysis should be made of whether the body absorbs the substances.

Concerns about rubber granulate are mainly about the carcinogenic properties of some substances in rubber granulate. In particular, the concern is about a possible relationship with leukaemia and lymphoma.

Based on various earlier studies, RIVM concluded that it was unlikely that playing sports on synthetic turf fields with rubber granulate would have any health effects and that people playing sports could continue using rubber granulate fields. In 2006, RIVM conducted a thorough study of the information available worldwide at that time about the possible health effects of exposure to rubber granulate. In 2007, RIVM performed air measurements above synthetic turf fields and published a report on the matter. RIVM works in an international network of experts and never bases any of its recommendations on a single study.