Tyre firms' CEOs to research tyres' health issues

Tokyo -- The chief executive officers of tyre companies in the US, Japan, South Korea and Europe approved $2.2 million in funding recently to continue research into the health effects of tyre wear particles.

The CEOs-from Bridgestone Corp., Continental AG, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear, Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., Kumho Tire Co. Inc., Group Michelin, Pirelli Tyre SpA, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. and Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.-met in Tokyo last week to review the progress of a multi-year research program to study the potential health and environmental impact of their products.

At the Tokyo meeting, the CEOs found that preliminary exposure assessments for tyre materials showed sufficient margins of safety for human health based on screening models, according to the US-based Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).

They agreed to carry out further analysis individually under the European Union's new REACh (Regulation, Evaluation, restriction and Authorisation of Chemicals program, the RMA said.

The tyre research project is handled under the auspices of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a Geneva-based nonprofit organization that works with global businesses on environmental and social issues.

During the past 16 months researchers focused on two key issues: improving understanding of the materials used to make tyres, and studying tyre wear and roadway particles generated during normal vehicle use.

Reports from the tyre research project will appear in late July on the WBCSD Web site (see below).

From Tire Business staff report (A Crain publication)

Website of WBCSD.