Tire Combustion Emissions and Their Histochemical Implications on the Lung Tissues of Albino Mice

Abstract

Organic volatiles and particulate emissions from the combustion of tire are believed to contain eco-toxic substances including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and various reactive radical species which may initiate serious respiratory ailments such as asthma and lung tumors. This study investigates the nature and toxicological effects of particulate soot from tire burning. To simulate environmental pollution, 12-week-old male albino mice were exposed to tire particulate emissions at a rate of ~250 μgm −3 •day −1 and their lung tissues were extracted for bioassay analyses. Comparisons were made between the lung tissues of mice exposed to the particulate emissions , and the control mouse in order to determine the health impact of particulates on the functioning of the lung soft tissue. The thermal degradation profile of tire was also investigated in the temperature range 200˚C-500˚C and found that the highest mass loss was between 300˚C and 450˚C.