<
https://theconversation.com/car-tyres-shed-a-quarter-of-all-microplastics-in-the-environment-urgent-action-is-needed-244132>
"Every year, billions of vehicles worldwide shed an estimated 6 million tonnes
of tyre fragments. These tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear
of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and
even in our food. Researchers in South China recently found tyre-derived
chemicals in most human urine samples.
These tyre particles are a significant but often-overlooked contributor to
microplastic pollution. They account for 28% of microplastics entering the
environment globally.
Despite the scale of the issue, tyre particles have flown under the radar.
Often lumped in with other microplastics, they are rarely treated as a distinct
pollution category, yet their unique characteristics demand a different
approach.
We urgently need to classify tyre particles as a unique pollution category. In
our recent international study, colleagues and I found that this approach would
drive more focused research that could inform policies specifically designed to
mitigate tyre pollution. And it could help ordinary people better understand
the scale of the problem and what they can do about it.
Right now, delegates are meeting in South Korea to negotiate the first global
plastics pollution treaty. While this landmark agreement is poised to address
many aspects of plastic pollution, tyre particles are barely on the agenda.
Given their significant contribution to microplastics, recognising tyre
pollution as a unique issue could help unlock targeted solutions and public
awareness. This is what we need to address this growing environmental threat."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
