Car tires contribute 28% of global microplastic pollution, with billions of vehicles shedding harmful particles linked to ecosystem damage and potential health risks.
Henry Obanya writes for The Conversation.
In short:
- Tires shed 6 million tons of microplastic fragments annually, polluting soil, water and even food.
- Additives like zinc oxide and 6PPD-quinone harm aquatic life, including fish like coho salmon.
- Weight-based vehicle taxes and eco-friendly tire innovations could reduce tire pollution.
Why this matters:
Tire pollution is an overlooked but significant contributor to environmental harm. Toxic additives in tire particles threaten ecosystems and food safety, while heavy vehicle trends increase the problem. Better regulations and innovations could address this escalating crisis.
