AndresFeb 12
The black shit covering the snow? That's from #cars. But importantly, it's not just exhaust soot - it's also pieces of tire (as they wear down). Eg, #microplastics that will end up in the ocean and in our drinking water.
Show threadAndresFeb 12

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/pollution-microplastic-waste-tires-b2794350.html

"In recent times, tire wear particles have been found to account for about 45% of all microplastics in both terrestrial and aquatic systems."

"Researchers in 2020 found that more than half of the coho salmon returning to streams in Washington state died before spawning, largely because of 6PPD-Q, a chemical stemming from 6PPD, which is added to tires to help keep them from degrading."

The most frustrating thing about all this? Cities don't clear sidewalks, so more cars

One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources revealed – and it’s not straws or bags

Tire wear particles have been found to account for about 45 per cent of all microplastics in both terrestrial and aquatic systems

The Independent
Show threadAndresFeb 12

That article in particular focuses on filtering out tire wear particles AFTER they've entered the environment. Which is very much a band-aid, and it filters them AFTER we've breathed in the airborne particles.

We can stop them from ever being released by designing cities not for cars, but we need actual political leadership for that. Limiting/removing cars also comes with a ridiculous number of other benefits, too. Truly too many to count!

#BanCars

Show threadAndresFeb 12
Fun fact: did you know that the fascism that's taking over our country is enabled by car-centric design? Our rural and exurban areas are deep red and full of Trump voters. That's because places designed around cars isolate us and make us suspicious and hateful of our neighbors. What happens when we propose more housing? "What about the traffic!" say the NIMBYs. Because newcomers, rather than bringing interesting food, culture, conversation, language, & art, bring more cars in unwalkable places.
Show threadlegraLeGraFeb 12

@Andres4NY

I’ve also got a friend who is a geochemist —

She has found another important road source of microplastics in rivers and estuaries are actually the road markings themselves which are no longer paint, but instead thermoplastics.

Show threadAndresFeb 12
@atthenius That makes sense. Especially on highways, those things don't last very long!
Show threadTwobiscuits🚴‍♂️ Feb 12

@Andres4NY @atthenius Most paint consists of synthetic polymers too, though. And thermoplastic markings, but also the ones that use very smelly solvents, last longer than paint. That's why they're used. Here in Graz we've been through the attempt to use water-based paint. It didn't work. The city can't repaint 1000 km worth of road markings on a 2-years' cycle, and that's what it needed.

The main particulate pollution from road runoff is from tyres. There's no way around collecting and treating the runoff from roads with heavy traffic. Separate drainage & treatment of road runoff is gradually being rolled out in Austria, in cities and along the highways.

Show threadlegraLeGra

@twobiscuits @Andres4NY

Much road runoff is treated in the us. But extreme rains are often more than roads can handle.

The tire issue may balance better in Europe. The us is def not regulating either.

Feb 12 at 10:37pmWeb