How does an old tire affect the enviromnent?

Answer 1

Tires break down over time and the rubber is bound to release small inorganic particles into the soil and water. If you take an air sample near a road using a mold inspectors spore trap you will find that the air contains tiny rubber particles that look like black chewed up gum.

It is a fact that the oceans are contaminated with tiny inorganic plastic particles from plastics that wash into the sea. Such contaminates often find their way into the food chain by animals that think plastic must be some new type of food. So it goes to reason that tiny pieces of rubber from tires will also pollute water and soil and even may be eaten by animals that think it is food.

More importantly most tires contain steel belts, in other words internal metal strands that give the tire extra strength.

When tires break down, especially in water these steel belts rust over time and are released in our water ways. Some metals are toxic to animals and humans. I am not sure of all the metals present in tires, or their levels, but it seems that at least some contain cadmium, lead, and zinc.

I a sure mother nature would appreciate it if we did not toss ugly tires that release these rubber particles and metals into our water ways.

If you do not respect mother nature she will slap us all in the face one day.