Tons of Tire Particles
Tire wear particles may be the biggest source of microplastics to the Bay and to global urban water bodies. We estimate that cars and trucks driving on Bay Area roads generate approximately 15,000-18,000 metric tons of tire wear particles each year, or the weight of more than 40 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes.
Latest News
Fri, May 15 2026
New Data on Salmon-Killing Chemical In San Francisco Bay
Tue, May 6 2025
"Unique as Snowflakes": Understanding Tire Particles
Sun, Oct 15 2023
Vehicle Tires Threaten Water Quality
Wed, Nov 3 2021
A Synthesis of Microplastic Sources and Pathways to Urban Runoff
Thu, Jul 29 2021
SFEI Experts Assist California’s Safer Consumer Products Program
Fri, Dec 4 2020
Toxic Tire Contaminant Found in Bay Area Stormwater
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