Earthworms avoid tire abrasion
According to the study, earthworms avoid more contaminated soils. © iStock toeytoey2530
A study by the Ecotox Centre, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and EPFL, shows that earthworms avoid soils more contaminated by tire particles. In tests, however, these particles showed no negative effects on earthworm survival or reproduction.
Thibault Masset, Florian Breider, Mathieu Renaud, Jonas Müller, Alan Bergmann, Etienne Vermeirssen, William Dudefoi, Kristin Schirmer, Benoit J.D. Ferrari, (2025). "Effects of tire particles on earthworm (Eisenia andrei) fitness and bioaccumulation of tire-related chemicals", Environmental Pollution, 368, 125780 (9 pp.). doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.125780