Although plastic particles in the air are increasingly coming into focus, knowledge about their distribution and effects is still limited. Chemical analyses from Leipzig now provide details from Germany for the first time: Around 4% of the particulate matter consists of plastic. Around two-thirds of this comes from tire abrasion.
Thinking back on how black my skin would become with tire dust, I’m amazed that masks aren’t required by OSHA on freight docks. I used to be so dirty at the end of a shift. I’m sure it didn’t have good impacts on my lungs…