Insurance
13/07/2026
🚗 The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to the environmental impact of automobiles is exhaust emissions. But there is another invisible emission: microplastics from tire wear.
When actor Orlando Bloom* spent over $13,000 filtering microplastics from his blood a few months ago, many saw it as interesting tabloid news. But this news actually points to a much bigger truth.
📌 What is Microplastic?
🔹 All plastic particles and fibers smaller than 5 mm are called microplastics. According to research; 🧪 Some studies suggest that people may be consuming about a teaspoon of plastic each day.
🧠 A study published in Nature Medicine this year showed that the brain may be one of the organs where plastics can accumulate the most. According to the study, it is suggested that the average brain may contain microplastics equivalent to approximately 4.5 plastic bottle caps.
📌 Where do microplastics come from?
One of 🚗 the biggest sources is car tires. About 3 million tons each year Microplastics are formed due to tire wear.
🚙 In other words, the weight of approximately 2 million cars; 🇹🇷 It corresponds to approximately twice the cars sold in Turkey in a year.
⚡ Are electric vehicles producing more microplastics?
At first glance, the answer seems to be “Yes.” Because electric vehicles are heavier. However, this is not the only issue. Producers;
✔️ more durable rubber,
✔️ special pattern,
✔️ develops a new generation of low-wear EV tires. Therefore, the current scientific data “Electric vehicles produce more microplastics for sure.” It is not enough yet.
📊 Annual Tire Wear Per Capita 🇪
🇺 European → ≈2.1 kg
🌎 North America → ≈1.9 kg
🌏 Asia → ≈0.8 kg
🇹🇷 Turkey → ≈0.9 kg
Another interesting detail… 🥇
, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg → 3.56 kg/person
🥈 🇺🇸 USA → 3.12 kg/person
🌊 Where do these particles go?
According to research; 💧 Approximately 9–35% of the particles formed by tire wear can reach surface waters. What is more striking is…
🌍 According to the UK model, about 70% of these particles;
• air, • to the soil, • water It mixes.
🩺 Does it harm our body?
Today, microplastics;
🩸 in the blood,
🫁 in the lungs,
❤️ vascular plaques,
👶 It is even detected in the placenta. Its exact effects are still being studied. However, scientists examining its possible effects on the;
• chronic inflammation, inflammation
• hormonal disruption,
• gut microbiota,
• Cardiovascular diseases It is intensively
🌍 The World Health Organization (WHO) now considers micro and nanoplastic exposure as one of the important public health topics.
🤔 What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves?
Avoiding it completely does not seem nearly possible today.
However;
🚶 Being in less heavy traffic,
🚴 Reducing unnecessary vehicle use, 🚗 Not neglecting tire maintenance,
🌿 Spending more time in green areas, may contribute to reducing exposure.
🎬 Note: If you can’t remember Orlando Bloom;
🏹 Legoloas @ Lord Of The Rings Yüzüklerin Efendisi’nin Legolas’ı ⚔️ Will Turner @ Pirates of the Caribbean
