COMEAP: no compelling evidence of risk from tyre particles

An independent advisory committee to the UK Department of Health has found no compelling evidence that exposure to tyre and road wear particles poses a health risk at current UK concentrations. Based on a review of present scientific knowledge, the updated position statement recently published by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) extends to all non-exhaust particles from road transport, including brake wear and road surface particulates.

Specifically, the report concluded: “Taken as whole, the current body of published work is small and does not provide a compelling narrative of adverse health effects of exposure to non-exhaust particles from road transport.”

However, the committee did recognise knowledge-gaps: “it is recommended that new epidemiological and toxicological research should be undertaken to further understand the potential health risk of this aspect of vehicular pollution and to provide a basis for further policy”.

Karl Naylor, BTMA chairman said: “We welcome this thorough examination of scientific evidence by respected UK experts that gives a solid base on which to build further understanding.

We recently took a closer look at the subject in “Research reveals ‘vital information’ relating to tyre particles…”. Click here to read more.