Tire Pollution
Introduction
"This common item is responsible for 25% of all microplastic pollution — and it's worse than we thought." - The Cooldown: Tire Pollution 6ppd Chemicals Human Urine - Study
"As tires degrade, microplastic "tire dust" and toxic chemicals are released into the air." - The Cooldown: Tire Pollution 6ppd Chemicals Human Urine - Study
Dangers of Tire pollution
Tire tread particles are jut one of the many sources of microplastics making it into human bodies, and those of our pets and wildlife.
Animal Health Impacts
Scientists have discovered plasticosis in birds - a condition where plastic particles continuously shred bird organis beyond a point wher they can continue to heal or function any more, leading to death.
Birds
Baby birds often starve to death due to plastic consumption, but the survivors show many physical differences such as smaller body sizes and smaller wings than those of their species without large amounts of plastic in their diets.
As animals, who (the majority of people) eat other animals (many of whom have plastic in their bodies already from their feed or other sources), we need to start investigating the impacts of plastic in the food web, solutions to prevent damage to our bodies, and how to stop these pollutants from spreading in the first place.
Fish
"These tiny particles can easily invade waterways, with well-researched detrimental impacts on marine life. 6PPD specifically is known to quickly kill several types of fish, and the EPA recently suggested screening values to help protect salmon and other fish from tire pollution.
Its toxicity in fish is alarming, and the study's researchers believe "the potential human health risks posed by its long-term exposure require urgent attention." - The Cooldown: Tire Pollution 6ppd Chemicals Human Urine - Study
Human Health Impacts
"The study sampled the urine of 150 people and had "detection frequencies between 60% and 100%" of chemical 6PPD and 6PPD-Q, which are rubber additives commonly used in tires.
The long-term effects of 6PPD in humans hasn't been extensively studied, but what's clear to researchers is that 6PPD's source — tire-based pollution — is a big problem.
It's not easy to be exact, but studies estimate that tires create anywhere from 10-28% of the world's microplastic pollution, according to National Geographic. These particles don't just disappear — they end up in our water, our soil, and our bodies." - The Cooldown: Tire Pollution 6ppd Chemicals Human Urine - Study
Solutions
Further Study
New Classification Needed
"Henry Obanya, a research student at the University of Portsmouth, said, "We urgently need to classify tyre particles as a unique pollution category. … This approach would drive more focused research that could inform policies specifically designed to mitigate tyre pollution."" - The Cooldown: Tire Pollution 6ppd Chemicals Human Urine - Study "
Reduce Tire Use
Active Transit vs Driving Cars & Trucks
Using vehicles with smaller tires reduces surface area, which in turn reduces tire treat pollution. Our shoes can also be a source of this type of pollution, or similar, but again, on a much lower scale because of the reduces surface area being worn against the ground. This means any time you walk, ride a bike, or use other types of active transit, you are helping to reduce microplastic pollution.