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Title: Tires Shed Millions Of Tonnes Of Microplastics Into The Environment
As the world grapples with the devastating impact of microplastics on our environment and human health, a shocking reality has emerged. Tire particles, shed from millions of vehicles around the globe every year, are not just another form of microplastic waste – they pose a significant threat to our ecosystems.
The alarming truth is that tires release an estimated 11 million tonnes of tiny rubber particles into the environment annually. These particles, known as tyre abrasion, are made up of toxic chemicals like 6PPD (N-phenyl-N′-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-1,4-benzenediamine), which has been linked to mass mortality events in coho salmon and adverse effects on zebrafish.
The sheer scale of this issue is staggering. With over 2 billion tires produced each year, it’s clear that the environmental impact of tire particles is not trivial. Furthermore, regulatory bodies have only recently begun to take action, with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) adopting new regulations to measure emissions from tires and introduce limits on particulate emissions.
The adoption of these regulations marks a significant turning point in our understanding of this issue. However, more needs to be done. Scientists are calling for tire particles to be reclassified as a unique pollution category, due to their distinct toxicological challenges. It’s essential that policymakers take heed of these warnings and prioritize the development of sustainable tyre technologies.
The time for complacency has passed. It is imperative that we recognize the magnitude of this problem and work together to find solutions. The fate of our planet depends on it.
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Source: www.forbes.com
