A study by Switzerland's Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO) detected car tire pollution in vegetables grown and sold in Switzerland, as reported by SRF. Chemical additives from tire production were found in one-third of the tested vegetables.
Researchers at EPFL in Lausanne analyzed around one hundred samples of commonly consumed vegetables, including lettuce, cabbage, spinach, onions, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, and pumpkins. These were sourced from Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and France and purchased from Swiss wholesalers and retailers.
The compounds identified are used to enhance tire performance and durability. The pathway of these pollutants to plants remains unclear, though it is likely they are transmitted through water and soil.
Tire pollution is an issue of concern. A study by the ETH Institute of Materials Science and Technology indicated that tires contribute to approximately 90% of microplastic pollution. The effects of these pollutants on human health are not well-researched. However, a 2020 US study linked tire pollution to the death of salmon populations. It identified a specific ingredient, 6PPD, as responsible for the death of 40% to 90% of salmon in urban waterways. One of the study's authors expressed hope for the future production of salmon-safe tires.
Source: le News