http://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/chem/202507/t20250722_1048146.shtml

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00469-w

Using toxicity tests based on CHO cells, a team at the CAS Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences has found that  tyre waste poses a significant environmental risk, with chemicals leaching from worn tyre particles or crumb rubber—used in construction and recreational projects—entering waterways via surface runoff. Common disinfection methods seem to sharply increase the toxicity of tyre-contaminated water. Chloramine disinfection boosted cytotoxicity by 4.0 times, chlorine by 3.0 times, and ozone by 0.4 times. Toxicity levels in disinfected, tyre-polluted water were 3.1 to 6.0 times higher than in disinfected samples of pristine lake water.

The study pinpointed a strong link between toxicity and halogenated byproducts—specifically brominated and iodinated compounds—formed when tyre additives react with disinfectants. Targeted chemical analyses identified 33 key additives in tyre-related chemical mixtures, including benzothiazoles, phenols, benzophenones, and arylamines. Though these additives made up less than 5% of total carbon mass in tyre-impacted water, they accounted for up to 36% of cytotoxicity in disinfected samples.

With tyre particles accumulating in surface water and releasing chemicals continuously, their impact on water safety demands urgent attention. Risks are particularly high in densely urbanized areas with small water networks and heavy rainfall, as well as during events that release concentrated tyre particles—such as tunnel washing or motorsports.