IN Malaysia, an estimated 32,000 people die due to outdoor air pollution every year. Malaysia’s daily air quality index averaged at 66 in 2021, with particulate matter (solid particles, dust, dirt) concentrations being 3.9 times the World Health Organisation recommendation. 

With traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels, the air quality in Malaysia is about to get drastically worse, and it’s from an object even more widespread than cars: tyres.  

The focus is usually on carbon emissions from car exhausts, but the everyday wear and tear of running tyres poses a severe threat to environmental and public health as well.  

Worryingly, synthetic rubber used to make tyres is derived from petroleum that contains hundreds of potentially carcinogenic chemicals. 

New tyres produce around 73 milligrams of particles per km of driving, which is 16 times more than the legal limit for exhaust at 4.5.  

Furthermore, as the particulate matter produced by tyres are 23 nanometres in size, they are not only invisible to the naked eye but also capable of penetrating deeply into our lungs and bloodstream.   

As these particles get carried by the wind, they seep into our rivers, soil, and eventually, the food we eat.  

The Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations (2014) under the Environmental Quality Act (1974) needs to be updated to enforce quality control of particulate matter emissions from tyres.

Incentives are needed to propel the development and manufacturing of green tyres made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials. 

As the general population becomes increasingly aware of the “invisible” toxins they breathe in on a daily basis, high efficiency particulate air purifiers may be encouraged in homes, offices, and communal spaces. 

In conclusion, EMIR Research would like to propose the following policy recommendations: 

1. Incentivise manufacturing and R&D of the green tyre industry in Malaysia 

The 2014 regulations should be updated to enforce control of air pollution from tyres.  

Besides that, the government should look into rolling out special grants for further research and development (R&D) into green tyres. There should also be a policy to mandate the fitting of green tyres into new cars and electric vehicles (EVs). 

Malaysia is home to several tyre manufacturers and even its own brand of epoxidised natural rubber known as Ekoprena, which boasts a negative carbon footprint and is sustainable, renewable, and non-petroleum derived. 

The country could position itself to be a leading manufacturer and supplier of green tyres for EVs. 

2. Deploy clean technology to absorb pollution 

For example, the government could look towards implementing cantilevered canopies that are horizontally covered with pollution-absorbing material – functioning as both a barrier and absorber simultaneously. Overlaying them would be solar panels to boost renewable energy. 

As we move towards carbon-neutrality and net zero, the issue of tyre pollution could one day fade into the past. – March 3, 2023. 

Jason Loh and Jennifer Ley Ho Ying are part of the research team at EMIR Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research. 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.