Is the Oil Refined from Waste Tires Harmful to Humans?

Is the Oil Refined from Waste Tires Harmful to Humans?

Yes, the oil produced from waste tire pyrolysis is harmful to human health, as it contains a large number of toxic and hazardous chemical substances that pose multiple risks:

1. Direct Contact and Inhalation Hazards

Skin and Mucous Membrane Irritation: Aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds in the oil directly irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, causing redness, itching, and inflammation. Prolonged contact can lead to skin ulcers or allergic dermatitis.

Acute Poisoning: Short-term inhalation of high-concentration oil vapor can cause dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, coma, pulmonary edema, or even life-threatening conditions.

2. Long-Term Chronic Health Risks

Carcinogenic Risk: The oil contains strong carcinogens such as benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene). Long-term exposure or inhalation significantly increases the risk of leukemia, lung cancer, skin cancer, and other malignancies.

Organ Damage: Prolonged exposure damages the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, leading to abnormal liver function, renal failure, memory loss, and nerve paralysis.

3. Indirect Environmental Hazards

When burned, waste tire oil releases toxic substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium), and dioxins, which pollute the air and enter the human body through the food chain, posing long-term health risks.

Improper disposal of oil-containing wastewater and residues contaminates soil and water sources, indirectly threatening drinking water and food safety.