Rhineland removes non-clean oil tyres from German market

At the end of 2011 Rhineland became the first German federal state (after Baden-Württemberg in 2010) to carry out investigations into the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in motor vehicle tyres. The results were published on 12 December 2011. Two of the 19 tyres tested exceeded the limit and show that extender oils were used which do not meet the EU requirements. The offending types of tyres were reportedly removed from the market as a result of not meeting the legal requirements.

Apparently due to strong public interest the sample list of the individual results has now been posted on the Internet (http://www.mulewf.rlp.de/gesundheit/chemikaliensicherheit/pak-in-autoreifen/).

“The action of Rhineland-Palatinate Labour Inspectorate should contribute to reducing the exposure of the population to carcinogenic substances,” said Environment Minister Ulrike Höfken. “As a side effect, European manufacturers who abide by the rules will be protected from unfair competition.”

The list (PDF document attached) contains the studied types of tyres in Rhineland-Palatinate and the obtained results. Specifically, the brand, the tyre line, the tyre size and various details of the identification of tyres (DOT code) are included from which the manufacturing plant (DOT Plant) can be ascertained. In addition, the table contains the speed symbol, the country of origin, and the week and year of production.

The measured quantity H-Bay (%) is a complex variable from the nuclear magnetic resonance study, which addresses the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). If the limit of 0.35% is exceeded it is assumed that an extender oil with unacceptable concentrations of PAHs was used in the production.