Tires' Pollution Problem: What's The Harm?

Car tyres are a significant source of air, water, and soil pollution. Tyre particles contain a wide range of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens, and contribute to dangerous PM2.5 pollution. In fact, tests have shown that tyres produce more particle pollution than exhaust systems. With around 2 billion tyres sold globally each year, tyre pollution could rapidly become a major issue for regulators.

Tyre particles pollute air, water and soil and contain a wide range of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens

The increasing weight of cars means more particles are being thrown off by tyres as they wear on the road. Tests have revealed that tyres produce more than 1tn ultrafine particles for each kilometre driven, meaning particles smaller than 23 nanometres. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that around 2 billion tyres are sold globally each year, with the market expected to reach 3.4 billion a year by 2030. Tyres are made from about 20% natural rubber and 24% synthetic rubber, which requires five gallons of petroleum per tyre.

Tyre wear and tear produces more particle pollution than exhaust systems

The increasing weight of cars means more particles are being thrown off by tyres as they wear on the road. Tests have revealed that tyres produce more than 1tn ultrafine particles for each kilometre driven, meaning particles smaller than 23 nanometres. Non-exhaust emissions, which include tyre, brake and road surface wear, account for 90% of all particulate emissions from vehicles.

The microplastics from tyre dust contribute to dangerous PM2.5 pollution – particles that are so small they can be inhaled and cause respiratory health issues. To put the scale of the problem into perspective, the amount of tyre dust a single London bus produces each day is equivalent to the size of a grapefruit.

While the rubber rings beneath your car may seem benign, they are, according to experts, a significant source of air, soil, and water pollution that may affect humans as well as fish, wildlife, and other organisms.

Tyre dust is a microplastic that contributes to PM2.5 pollution, which can be inhaled and cause respiratory health issues

Tests have shown that tyre wear produces more particle pollution than car exhaust systems. The increasing weight of cars means more particles are being thrown off by tyres as they wear on the road. Tyre particles are so small that they can be inhaled and cause respiratory health issues.

Non-exhaust emissions, which include tyre, brake and road surface wear, account for 90% of all particulate emissions from vehicles. The microplastics from tyre dust contribute to dangerous PM2.5 pollution.

Tires are made from about 20% natural rubber and 24% synthetic rubber, which requires five gallons of petroleum per tyre. This means that tyre production also contributes to pollution.

Tyres are made from natural and synthetic rubber, which requires five gallons of petroleum per tyre

Car tyres are a significant source of air, soil, and water pollution. They are made from about 20% natural rubber and 24% synthetic rubber, which requires five gallons of petroleum per tyre. The tyre particles pollute air, water, and soil and contain a wide range of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens. Tyre pollution could rapidly become a major issue for regulators. The increasing weight of cars means more particles are being thrown off by tyres as they wear on the road. Tests have shown that tyres produce more than 1tn ultrafine particles for each kilometre driven, meaning particles smaller than 23 nanometres. Non-exhaust emissions, which include tyre, brake, and road surface wear, account for 90% of all particulate emissions from vehicles. The microplastics from tyre dust contribute to dangerous PM2.5 pollution – particles that are so small they can be inhaled and cause respiratory health issues.

Tyre pollution could rapidly become a major issue for regulators

Non-exhaust emissions, which include tyre, brake and road surface wear, account for 90% of all particulate emissions from vehicles. The microplastics from tyre dust contribute to dangerous PM2.5 pollution – particles that are so small they can be inhaled and cause respiratory health issues.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that around 2 billion tyres are sold globally each year, with the market expected to reach 3.4 billion a year by 2030. Tyres are made from about 20% natural rubber and 24% synthetic rubber, which requires five gallons of petroleum per tyre.

While the rubber rings beneath your car may seem benign, they are, experts say, a significant source of air, soil, and water pollution that may affect humans as well as fish, wildlife, and other organisms. Regulators will need to address the issue of tyre pollution to protect public health and the environment.

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