Environmental Problems Associated with Waste Tire Stockpiles

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH WASTE TIRE STOCKPILES 

Mosquitoes have long been identified as pests and vectors of disease. It has also been known for some time that tires have the potential to serve as ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, especially when tires occur in large numbers in stockpiles. Because of the shape and impermeability of tires, they may hold water for long periods of time providing sites for mosquito larvae development. 

Because tires can hold water, they have contributed to the introduction of non-native mosquito species when used tires are imported to the U.S. The new species are often more difficult to control and spread more disease (2). 

There is evidence of tires contributing to the presence of mosquito-transmitted diseases. The main solution that has been offered is tire shredding. This guarantees that no water will be held for breeding sites. Further preventive measures could include requiring all shipped tires and all stockpiles to be fumigated. Other solutions sometimes suggested to the mosquito problem in tire stockpiles 

1/ (Includes imported new tires) National Petroleum News, Fact Book, 1986-1988. Data from the Rubber Manufacturers Association. 1988 through 1990 data from RMA Industry Monthly Tire Report, December 1989 and December 1990. 2/ U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Imports for Consumption (FT246). 1984-1990. 

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