Important Facts For Prelims
Tyre Pyrolysis
- 09 Dec 2019
- 1 min read
Why in News
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has ordered the closure of about 270 tyre pyrolysis units in 19 States for flouting environmental norms and causing a high level of pollution.
- Tyre pyrolysis refers to a technique of breaking down used tyres in the absence of oxygen. Shredded tyres, at temperatures between 250°C and 500°C, produce liquid oil and gases.
- In addition to the domestic tyres waste (6% of global tyre waste), India also receives used tyres from Australia and the U.K., which are sent for recycling and disposal.
- It was considered a safer technique than burning tyres but pyrolysis leaves fine carbon matter, pyro-gas, oil as residue. Also, the inadequate management of these by-products poses health risks.
- Tyre pyrolysis technology is polluting and harmful to the health of workers employed.
- The National Green Tribunal in 2014 prohibited used tyres from being burnt in the open or being used as fuel in brick kilns, because of the toxic emissions.
