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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Damian Carrington Environment editor

Car tyres produce vastly more particle pollution than exhausts, tests show

Slow moving traffic on the M5
Emissions from tailpipes in developed countries are much lower in new cars, with those in Europe far below the legal limit. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Almost 2,000 times more particle pollution is produced by tyre wear than is pumped out of the exhausts of modern cars, tests have shown.

The tyre particles pollute air, water and soil and contain a wide range of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens, the analysts say, suggesting tyre pollution could rapidly become a major issue for regulators.

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