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How worried should you be about microplastics?
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supersquirrel sopuli.xyz supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz
Joined: 2023-12-09
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Pommes_für_dein_Balg feddit.org mech@feddit.org
Joined: 2025-10-06
#2 · (edited) Quote Reply

Does worrying help at all?

I already cut the worst culprits out of my life (car, eating fish, synthetic clothes, one-use plastics), but I still get blasted with the stuff just from walking around town.

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GreatTitEnthusiast mander.xyz GreatTitEnthusiast@mander.xyz
Joined: 2024-04-29
#3 · (edited) Quote Reply

Does worrying help at all? I already cut the worst culprits out of my life (car, eating fish, synthetic clothes, one-use plastics), but I still get blasted with the stuff just from walking around town.

Cars?

Google searches

https://theconversation.com/car-tyres-shed-a-quarter-of-all-microplastics-in-the-environment-urgent-action-is-needed-244132

Oh

Well that's no good. Will probably get worse with EVs, too, since they're heavier. I imagine any rubber would do this, right? Car tires, shoes... Time to go barefoot, I guess

4
Pommes_für_dein_Balg feddit.org mech@feddit.org
Joined: 2025-10-06
#4 · Quote Reply

Cars? Google searches https://theconversation.com/car-tyres-shed-a-quarter-of-all-microplastics-in-the-environment-urgent-action-is-needed-244132 Oh Well that's no good. Will probably get worse with EVs, too, since they're heavier. I imagine any rubber would do this, right? Car tires, shoes... Time to go barefoot, I guess

EVs are less bad cause they use their brakes much less since they can use the engine and battery to brake.

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GreatTitEnthusiast mander.xyz GreatTitEnthusiast@mander.xyz
Joined: 2024-04-29
#5 · Quote Reply

EVs are less bad cause they use their brakes much less since they can use the engine and battery to brake.

Do you have a source? From what I understand EVs wearing through tires faster is common knowledge

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/auto-tips-and-advice/electric-mobility-guide/how-to-reduce-tire-wear

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Pommes_für_dein_Balg feddit.org mech@feddit.org
Joined: 2025-10-06
#6 · Quote Reply

Do you have a source? From what I understand EVs wearing through tires faster is common knowledge https://www.michelinman.com/auto/auto-tips-and-advice/electric-mobility-guide/how-to-reduce-tire-wear

No, I don't. I misremembered. EVs emit less brake dust than ICE cars, but the increased tire wear makes up for it.
On the other hand, just buy a lighter EV ;)

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GreatTitEnthusiast mander.xyz GreatTitEnthusiast@mander.xyz
Joined: 2024-04-29
#7 · Quote Reply

No, I don't. I misremembered. EVs emit less brake dust than ICE cars, but the increased tire wear makes up for it. On the other hand, just buy a lighter EV ;)

Lighter ev is hard since the weight comes from the battery packs. We're certainly working on it, though

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supersquirrel sopuli.xyz supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz
Joined: 2023-12-09
#8 · Quote Reply

Lighter ev is hard since the weight comes from the battery packs. We're certainly working on it, though

Most people don't need massive cars, so there is a dual issue here. USians can't keep buying bigger and bigger cars forever.

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Pommes_für_dein_Balg feddit.org mech@feddit.org
Joined: 2025-10-06
#9 · (edited) Quote Reply

Lighter ev is hard since the weight comes from the battery packs. We're certainly working on it, though

It's not like your options are "car A" or "car A but with a battery".
The most sold vehicle in the US (Ford F-150) weighs the same as most EVs.
The EV I'd buy if I couldn't live without car (Dacia Spring) weighs half as much.
The vehicle class makes more difference than the drivetrain.

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blackbrook mander.xyz blackbrook@mander.xyz
Joined: 2023-06-08
#10 · Quote Reply

Cars? Google searches https://theconversation.com/car-tyres-shed-a-quarter-of-all-microplastics-in-the-environment-urgent-action-is-needed-244132 Oh Well that's no good. Will probably get worse with EVs, too, since they're heavier. I imagine any rubber would do this, right? Car tires, shoes... Time to go barefoot, I guess

Actual latex rubber, which tires used to be made from, is biodegradable.

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