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Measurement of tyre-related chemicals in roadside retention ponds using the Chemcatcher passive sampler: An ex-situ calibration and in-situ monitoring study.
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Tire wear releases chemicals that wash into roadside retention ponds designed to filter runoff before it reaches rivers and streams, but this study found these ponds aren't effectively removing them. Using a new long-term water sampling tool, researchers discovered that levels of one chemical, HMMM, exceeded safety thresholds in every sample tested, sometimes by 20 times or more, suggesting these stormwater systems need better treatment to protect aquatic life. While this study focused on environmental impact rather than direct human health effects, it highlights how everyday activities like driving contribute to pollutants entering our water systems, an area
Tyre-related chemicals are emerging environmental pollutants. They can reach the aquatic environment via sustainable drainage systems (e.g., retention ponds). However, little is known about tyre chemicals in these engineered environments which themselves are important ecosystems. A key challenge of monitoring tyre chemicals is their changeable concentrations caused by road runoff. Therefore, it was proposed to establish a longer-term monitoring approach (e.g., ≥ 7 days) to complement low frequency grab sampling for improved fate and exposure assessments. A hydrophilic-lipophilic balance-Chemcatcher passive sampler configuration was assessed for uptake of 11 tyre-related chemicals including 1,3-diphenylguanidine, hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM), and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPD-quinone). Ex-situ 14-day uptake calibrations showed linear uptake (r values ≥ 0.9) in pond water with sampling uptake rates (R) in the range 0.0073 - 0.054 L/d. Both water temperature and flow velocity had a significant effect (p-value < 0.05) on R value for some chemicals. Subsequent in-situ monitoring revealed little reduction in tyre chemical concentrations through two retention pond systems. Nevertheless, 7-day and 14-day time weighted average concentrations were below the provisional predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) for most chemicals. However, all samples exceeded the current PNEC for HMMM (1.7 × 10 µg/L) and by ≥ 20 times for some samples suggesting need for 'upstream' or within pond intervention. Non-targeted analysis tentatively identified a further 20 potential chemicals of interest in Chemcatcher extracts including vulcanisation accelerators, plasticisers and transformation products. Overall, the proposed Chemcatcher passive sampler can complement grab sampling to better monitor tyre-related chemicals in surface waters for their improved management.
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Tiny bits of tire rubber and road paint—plus chemicals that leach out of them—are constantly washing into roadside ponds, even on dry days, not just during rainstorms as scientists previously assumed. These pollutants build up in pond sediment over time, reaching levels that this study found could be harmful to the fish and other aquatic life living there, raising concerns about the long-term health of waterways near busy roads.
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Tiny bits of rubber worn off from car tires (a type of microplastic) wash off roads into stormwater ponds along with toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, and zinc, and this study found the two are closely linked, with rubber particle levels lining up with metal contamination in pond sediment. The good news: these ponds act as effective "catch basins," trapping tire particles and metals before they can reach rivers, lakes, or drinking water sources, highlighting why maintaining stormwater infrastructure matters for reducing pollution exposure in our environment.
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