TOKYO (June 13, 2008) — Chief executive officers of tire companies in the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Europe met in Tokyo this week to review the progress of their multi-year research program to study the potential health and environmental impact of their products.
At the Tokyo meeting, the CEOs found that preliminary exposure assessments for tire materials showed sufficient margins of safety for human health based on screening models, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
They agreed to carry out further analysis individually under the European Union's new Regulation, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals program, the RMA said.
The CEOs also approved $2.2 million in work over the next 18 months for additional testing of tire wear particles and their health effects.
The tire research project is handled under the auspices of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a Geneva, Switzerland-based nonprofit organization that works with global businesses on environmental and social issues. Reports from the tire research project will appear in late July on the WBCSD Web site, www.wbcsd.org.