Spatiotemporal dynamics of tire wear particles reveal escalating emission inequalities across China's road network

Summary

This study mapped where tiny plastic and rubber particles from car and truck tires are shed across China's roads, and found that pollution from this "tire wear" is growing unevenly—some areas are getting hit much harder than others, especially near busy roads and cities. This matters because these particles are a major source of microplastics that can pollute air, water, and soil, and understanding where they pile up helps identify which communities may face greater exposure risks.