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A review of rubber tyre derived micro- and nanoplastics: fate, impact and risks
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This systematic review examines microplastics generated from rubber tire wear, which are a major but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution. Tire particles spread through air, stormwater, and wastewater to contaminate both land and water. This is an important human health concern because tire-derived microplastics contain toxic chemicals and are found in the air people breathe and the water they drink.
Micro- and nanoplastics generated by friction- and traction-induced wear and tear of rubber tyres, designated as tyre microplastics (TMPs) and tyre nanoplastics (TNPs), are a major source of air, terrestrial and aquatic contamination. These particles are dispersed from the point of generation to distant locations via wind action and stormwater and wastewater discharges, adding to the particulate matter load in ambient air, and resulting in river and marine flora and fauna contamination. The occurrence of TMPs and TNPs in the environment is widespread, persistent and unregulated. This paper critically assesses current scientific knowledge on TMPs and TNPs by conducting a systematic review of their occurrence, methods of identification and characterisation, and knowledge gaps related to their fate, transport and environmental impacts. Their fate primarily depends on the particles’ size, shape, density, composition and possible interactions with living organisms and plants, along with processes like fragmentation, aggregation, sorption and bioaccumulation. These particles also have the potential to leach heavy metals and aromatic hydrocarbons, causing detrimental impacts on aquatic/terrestrial organisms. The lack of standardised methodologies for identification, quantification and characterisation of TMPs/TNPs poses significant challenges in terms of wider environmental risk assessment, while their sources, emissions, transport and impacts remain highly uncertain.
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Tire wear particles in different water environments: occurrence, behavior, and biological effects—a review and perspectives
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This review examines tire wear particles, a major but often overlooked source of microplastics in water environments. Tire particles release toxic chemicals as they break down in water and can harm aquatic organisms, but most research has focused only on the chemical leachate rather than the particles themselves. Since tire wear contributes a large share of total microplastic pollution, understanding its full impact on water ecosystems and the food chain is important for human health.
Tyre Wear Particles in the Environment: Sources, Toxicity, and Remediation Approaches
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This review examines tire wear particles, which account for a major share of global microplastic pollution with 1.3 million metric tons released annually in Europe alone. These rubber-based particles contain heavy metals and toxic organic chemicals that contaminate air, water, and soil, and human exposure occurs through inhaling dust, eating contaminated food, and drinking water, raising concerns about respiratory, cardiovascular, and cancer risks.
Tire wear particles in aquatic environments: A systematic review of sources, detection, distribution, and toxicological impacts
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This systematic review examined tire wear particles — a type of microplastic created as tires wear down on roads — as an emerging water pollutant. These particles wash into rivers and oceans through stormwater runoff and contain toxic chemicals that harm aquatic organisms. Since tire wear is one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution, this is relevant to anyone living near roads or consuming seafood.
Risk assessment of tire wear in the environment – a literature review
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This review assesses the environmental risks of tire wear emissions, which release microplastic-like particles containing polymers and potentially toxic chemicals into water and soil. While initial risk estimates suggest low risk from the particulate emissions themselves, the chemicals that leach from tire particles remain poorly characterized. The findings are relevant to human health because tire wear is one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution, and the leached chemicals may enter drinking water.
Microplastics from tyre and road wear A literature review
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This literature review examines microplastics generated from tire and road wear, identifying road traffic as a significant but often overlooked source of plastic pollution in urban runoff and waterways. The authors assess what is known about tire particle composition, environmental fate, and potential ecological effects.
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