Cars emit thousands of tons of microplastics into the atmosphere every year. Depending on the size, some of them remain in the countries of origin, but others, dragged by the wind, fall into the oceans and reach the Arctic.

In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, it is estimated that nearly 200,000 tons of microplastics from the activity of cars reach the oceans and other aquatic ecosystems annually. Of these, some 140,000 tons correspond to PM10 particles, particles smaller than 10 microns. A further 52,000 tonnes corresponds to PM2.5 particles, with a size of less than 2.5 micrometres. Based on this data, it is estimated that 30 per cent of microplastics in the oceans are produced on the road. Of all these particles, most are produced by abrasion of tires, but also by the use of the galga.

The path depends on the size of the particles. Thus, PM10 travels between 5 and 11 days and remains in the areas where it occurs, mainly in the United States, Europe and China. PM2.5 can remain in the atmosphere for 18 to 37 days, reaching remote areas such as the Arctic. In fact, that has caused concern to scientists. They have warned that these particles can destroy the albedo of the ice and thus contribute to global warming.