More micro-rubber - released from vehicle tyre abrasion on roads - is released into the environment than micro-plastics in Switzerland, according to a study.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ac
Português
pt
Cientistas alertam para ‘enorme’ poluição de borracha na Suíça
Researchers from the Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) estimate that between 1988 and 2018, around 200,000 tons of rubber particles was released on Swiss roads, it was announced on WednesdayExternal link.
The vast majority (97%) comes from car and truck tyres that are worn down on roads while a small amount can be attributed to the removal of artificial turf. Around three-quarters of the rubber particles remains within an area 5 metres either side of the road. However, 20% is broken down into smaller particles and is washed into streams, rivers and lakes, and 5% infiltrates the soil. Another study showed that half of the polymer waste found in Lake Geneva comes from micro-rubber.
Anyone living or passing close to roads are at risk of inhaling fine rubber particles but the amount found in inhaled fine dust in locations close to traffic is low, according to Empa.
Since 2000, the Swiss authorities have invested in road wastewater treatment plants to try to deal with the problem.
But the biggest problem is the sheer quantity of rubber particles produced. Of the polymer-based micro-particles released into the environment micro-rubber accounts for 93% compared to just 7% for micro-plastics.
“The amount of micro-rubber in the environment is huge and therefore highly relevant,” says Bernd Nowack of Empa.
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
What lies ahead for Switzerland: an economic outlook for 2025
Have you heard something about Swiss diplomacy that you’d like us to fact check?
Not all information circulating about Switzerland’s foreign relations is accurate or well understood. Tell us what you'd like us to fact check or clarify.
Credit Suisse Nazi ties ‘ran deeper than thought’: media report
This content was published on
Credit Suisse is alleged to have withheld details of its historic links with World War II-era Nazi clients, says the Wall Street Journal.
Swiss man faces life imprisonment after Australia drugs arrest
This content was published on
Swiss man, 21, accused of attempting to smuggle 25 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of CHF4.5 million into Australia.
Swiss insurer Helvetia says 500 jobs affected by cost-cutting
This content was published on
Some 500 jobs, including 200 to 250 in Switzerland, are affected by the new operational efficiency measures recently announced by insurer Helvetia.
This content was published on
Significantly fewer new cars were sold in Switzerland in 2024 than the previous year as demand for electric cars and plug-in hybrids declined.
Three Swiss brands among world’s 100 most valuable firms
This content was published on
Three Swiss firms made it into the 2024 top 100 most valuable companies in the world, despite Roche, Nestlé and Novartis falling down the rankings.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Tonnes of plastic trash enter Lake Geneva every year
This content was published on
Every year around 50 tonnes of plastic end up in Lake Geneva, located between Switzerland and France, a new study has shown.
Tons of plastic released into environment every year
This content was published on
More than 5,000 tons of plastic get into the environment in Switzerland a year, a study has found, with soil more affected than water.
This content was published on
The water quality studyExternal link from the Federal Office for the EnvironmentExternal link (FOEN), released on Thursday, said groundwater faces the greatest pressures in areas of high farming activity. It stated that groundwater is currently safe to drink but argued for a range of measures to ensure that remains the case. The study measured water…
How Swiss businesses are fighting the plight of microplastics
This content was published on
Plastic is a problem for the environment also in areas where one would not suspect to find it. The Swiss industry is fighting back.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.