With the bubble soccer industry at an all time high it’s time to look at what separates Knockerball Chicago verse the competitors. Well the major difference is that we use TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) Knockerballs. Why does this matter? Because not only is it more expensive and environmentally safe but it’s user healthy safe verse the counterpart PVC (poly vinyl chloride) which is shown to be hazardous with excessive inhalation.
Want to learn more about TPU?
Some of the characteristics of TPU can also be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoplastic_polyurethane
Properties of commercially available TPU include:
- high abrasion resistance – higher quality means better performance and greater safety
- low-temperature performance – for those cold winter days here in Chicago
- high shear strength – easy to repair!
- high elasticity – great for big hits!
- transparency – better vision for more fun!
- oil and grease resistance – less germs means less worries.
PVC and why its bad:
PVC is known for several health issues such as degradation which is when the plastic begins to degrade and release micro plastics which can attach to pollutants and cause illness.
Degradation during service life, or after careless disposal, is a chemical change that drastically reduces the average molecular weight of the polyvinyl chloride polymer. Since the mechanical integrity of a plastic depends on its high average molecular weight, wear and tear inevitably weakens the material. Weathering degradation of plastics results in their surface embrittlement and microcracking, yielding microparticles that continue on in the environment. Also known as microplastics, these particles act like sponges and soak up Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) around them. Thus laden with high levels of POPs, the microparticles are often ingested by organisms in the biosphere.
Another huge issue of PVC is it has been linked to carcinogens.
Here at Knockerball Chicago/Illinois, safety is our primary concern and we don’t mind spending extra to make sure you are safe and that the product you and your children are using are top of line in fun and safety. WE USE TPU ONLY AND SO SHOULD YOU!
So when deciding which bubble soccer operator in Illinois or the surrounding areas to choose, make sure you ask the right questions and that the company can prove they use TPU and not PVC.
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