Toxic Tires Threaten Water Quality

Tires negatively impact water quality. They are frequently discarded in the environment by individuals or companies trying to avoid small tire disposal fees (usually around $5 per tire). Tires have to be shredded at a special facility before going into a landfill, hence the disposal fee. People in the United States learned the hard way that tires cannot go to regular landfills with the occurrence of tire fires, which is a running joke in The Simpsons.

Tennessee Riverkeeper removes a lot of tires from our local creeks and rivers. Tires are a significant source of  microplastics into our waterways.  They also provide a habitat for mosquitoes that are a nuisance and can carry disease.  Tire manufacturers are secretive about what their tires are made from, but tires tend to discharge heavier types of microplastics that are often combined with other pollutants and additives, including lead. Experts estimate one tire can shed more than 8 pounds of microplastics in its lifetime.

Tires are associated with numerous other known toxins and pollutants such as benzene and other volatile organic compounds.

Finally, recently discovered and new emerging toxins associated with tires are increasing concerns and making improper tire disposal a worsening environmental problem. One of the most studied is 6PPD. 6PPD is causing mass mortality events in certain species of pregnant fish including some salmon, trout and zebrafish. Its impact on humans is not known, as there are few in vitro studies. It is known that know 6PPD can make it into the human body, and likely impact pregnant women more than others .

This scientific study, “Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of Microplastics in the Environment,” is a pioneering source on this topic.