Car tyres: A new threat to the environment or a solution to pollution?
Special Project
A new study suggests that car exhaust fumes are the least of our problems. There is a part of our vehicles that could be causing much more pollution.
In an article for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Kerry Taylor-Smith wrote, "Car tires may represent a greater threat to the environment than exhaust fumes, with a new study suggesting tire wear produced almost 2,000 times more particle pollution."
In an article for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Kerry Taylor-Smith explains, "Tires are made from synthetic rubber, a derivative of crude oil, and contain a number of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens."
Taylor-Smith continued, "As they make contact with the road, they release tiny particles measuring less than 23 nanometres, which pollute the air, soil and water. Tests carried out by independent emissions testing company, Emissions Analytics, reveal that tires produce more than one trillion of these ultrafine particles for each kilometre driven."
Fortunately, there is hope for solving this pollution conundrum. The Guardian reported that Transport for London (TfL) is running trials on new kinds of tires and has found that "they could result in up to 35% less emissions."
Molden also pointed out that BEV (Battery electric vehicles) often cause more pollution through tire particles than cars that run on fuel, simply because "their extra weight and torque can significantly increase emissions."
Luckily, as electric vehicles become lighter and new tires become available, this will likely become less of an issue. According to The Guardian, the startup company Enso has designed a new kind of tire specifically for electric vehicles.
So, there is hope that in the future, we will all be breathing far cleaner air thanks to a combination of electric and low-emission vehicles and far less polluting tires.
In an article for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Kerry Taylor-Smith explains, "Tires are made from synthetic rubber, a derivative of crude oil, and contain a number of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens."
Taylor-Smith continued, "As they make contact with the road, they release tiny particles measuring less than 23 nanometres, which pollute the air, soil and water. Tests carried out by independent emissions testing company, Emissions Analytics, reveal that tires produce more than one trillion of these ultrafine particles for each kilometre driven."
Fortunately, there is hope for solving this pollution conundrum. The Guardian reported that Transport for London (TfL) is running trials on new kinds of tires and has found that "they could result in up to 35% less emissions."
Molden also pointed out that BEV (Battery electric vehicles) often cause more pollution through tire particles than cars that run on fuel, simply because "their extra weight and torque can significantly increase emissions."
Luckily, as electric vehicles become lighter and new tires become available, this will likely become less of an issue. According to The Guardian, the startup company Enso has designed a new kind of tire specifically for electric vehicles.
So, there is hope that in the future, we will all be breathing far cleaner air thanks to a combination of electric and low-emission vehicles and far less polluting tires.
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