Tires get worn out after some time. The tires of my everyday-car have an average life of about 3 years. Those on my 4-year old family car however are still good. I seldom use the car that’s why. There are times however when I have to change tires prematurely. This happens when the tires are misaligned or there are suspension problems.
Have you ever wondered where tire rubber fragments end up? According to Phys.org, the tread that wears off from tires becomes micro-rubber particles that wind up in the soil and water, and eventually in our bodies. Majority of the rubber worn off tires stays on the road. About 75% of the rubber is left on the shoulder, 5% makes its way to the ground soil surrounding the road, and the remaining 20% winds up in local water systems.
And the fragments aren’t just tiny bits of natural rubber from trees. According bridgestoneamericas.com, an average tire contains well over 100 separate components. These include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, steel, nylon, silica (derived from sand), polyester, carbon black, petroleum, etc. Those tiny pieces become micro particles that behave similar to microplastics.
In the air, tiny rubber pieces becomes part of the deadly suspended solids called PM 2.5. These tiny particles can trigger a range of adverse health effects. According to Emissions Analytics, an organization that conducts independent emissions tests, emissions of particulate matter from tire wear can be 1,000 times worse than from tailpipes.
When washed into the water system, the rubber becomes a problem. They are swallowed by fish and other marine life creating problems on their digestive systems. If we eat the fish, then those rubber particles end up in our bodies as well.
Tire particles can be toxic to marine life. Scientists in Washington state in the United States discovered that a tire rubber additive is the cause of mass die-offs of spawning coho salmon that have plagued Puget Sound (a coastal area of the Pacific Northwest) for decades. The additive, 6PPD, (N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N´-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine) is an antioxidant found in tires all over the world. When the chemical reacts with ozone in the atmosphere it changes to become toxic to salmon. Some urban streams in Washington have seen 40-90% of returning coho struck down within hours of returning to spawn.
How do we reduce tire wear or extend their life? From my own driving experience, I would say to always ensure that the tires are properly aligned and balanced to avoid uneven wear. Go easy on the brakes too and avoid sudden stops. Keep tires properly inflated, not too much or too little air pressure. If possible, regularly rotate tires.
Policy makers meanwhile can provide long term solutions like proper urban planning that will reduce the need for transport. These are the so-called walkable cities. Creating bike lanes, encouraging car pooling and the use of public transportation will also reduce the vehicles on the road and consequently, tire dust.