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Recent studies point to a source of pollution from cars that is even more harmful than the exhaust pipe; understand what it is
When we talk about pollution generated by vehicles, many of us immediately think of the gases that come out of the exhaust. However, there is a form of pollution that is even more invisible and, perhaps, more dangerous: particles released by tire wear.
These microscopic particles, which are released every time a car moves, go beyond the carbon footprint, threatening our health and nature in ways we may never have imagined.
Exhaust? Beware of small pollutants, big problems
To give you an idea, every kilometer a car travels generates around 151 mg of rubber particles that come off the tires. This may not seem like much, but think about the number of cars and the number of kilometers traveled every day around the world.
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The impact is huge. These particles are so small that they can escape traditional air quality monitoring systems, which means they are out there, inhaled by us and carried into our waters.
Tires are made up of a complex mixture of chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to be carcinogenic. In addition, tires have a high amount of additives and chemicals that account for up to 50% of their total mass.
All of this raises real concerns among public health experts, who are demanding more transparency in the tire manufacturing and composition processes.
Electric vehicles: A solution with reservations
For many, electric vehicles (EVs) are a great hope for reducing environmental pollution, as they eliminate exhaust emissions. However, what few people know is that EVs, because they are heavier due to their batteries, end up wearing out tires more quickly, releasing more particles into the air.
So, while they represent an important step forward in reducing greenhouse gases, electric vehicles still need to deal with the problem of tire wear.
This issue is not limited to EVs alone, but to all heavy and powerful vehicles. The increase in car weight, caused by innovations in safety and comfort, is only exacerbating the problem of tyre particle pollution. So if we want a truly sustainable solution, we need to address all aspects of automotive pollution, going beyond tailpipe emissions.
The effects of particle pollution on health and the environment
These rubber particles not only affect air quality, but also our health. Depending on their size, the particles can cause different types of problems:
| Particle size | Potential health effects |
|---|---|
| PM10 (≤10 µm) | Respiratory irritation, worsening of asthma |
| PM2,5 (≤2,5 µm) | Cardiovascular problems, lung diseases |
| Ultra-fine (≤0,1 µm) | Can enter bloodstream, damage organs |
Because they are so small, tire wear particles can be inhaled and travel to the lungs, potentially reaching the bloodstream where they can cause organ damage. Imagine the impact this has on people living in densely populated urban areas where traffic is heavy and constant. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems are most vulnerable to these effects.
In addition to the problems for human health, these particles also contaminate water. When it rains, tire particles found on roads end up in rivers and oceans, accumulating in aquatic ecosystems. This affects marine life and can even enter the food chain, since microplastics derived from tires are ingested by fish and other marine organisms.
Ongoing solutions and futuristic challenges
To deal with pollution caused by tire wear, several measures are being discussed and tested. Among them:
- Regulatory measures: The creation of strict standards for the composition of tires, which limit the use of toxic substances and increase the durability of the material.
- Tecnologic innovation: Invest in the development of ecological tires, made from materials that generate fewer particles.
- Public awareness: Inform people about the importance of choosing quality tires and adopting driving habits that preserve wear.
- Urban planning: Design cities that reduce dependence on private vehicles, promoting public transport and alternatives such as cycling and walking.
These strategies, when applied together, have the potential to reduce the amount of tire particles in the air and water, protecting our health and the environment.
Demanding more transparency from the tire industry
For these solutions to really work, the tire industry needs to be more transparent about the composition of its products. Currently, there is a lot of secrecy surrounding the ingredients used in tire manufacturing, which makes it difficult to analyze the risks involved.
Environmental organizations and health authorities are calling on companies to disclose the ingredients in tires to ensure they do not contain harmful substances.
As we continue to explore innovative solutions to protect our planet, such as the experimental use of atmospheric diamond dust for climate cooling, it is essential that every source of pollution is addressed. This includes the invisible particles generated by tire wear, which until recently was a neglected problem.
Protecting the environment and public health isn’t just about reducing carbon emissions. It’s about understanding all the forms of pollution our society generates and taking steps to minimize them.
The transition to a cleaner future depends on comprehensive solutions that address every aspect of automotive pollution. After all, a world with less tire pollution means a healthier, more sustainable future for all of us and for future generations.
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