We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Novel method for the characterization and quantification of rubber particles in air samples and human blood
AI summary Read the abstract
This study developed a novel method to characterize and quantify tire and road wear rubber particles in environmental samples, identifying natural and synthetic rubber polymers including vulcanized styrene-butadiene rubber as the dominant components. The method advances monitoring capabilities for one of the largest sources of microplastic emissions globally.
Recent investigations have suggested that tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) are the most significant contributor to the overall emission of microplastics into the air. The main polymers within those particles are natural rubber (NR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), both vulcanized with sulfuric compounds like benzothiazole. Within the POLYRISK project, two studies were carried out to assess human exposure and polymer intake to understand the exposure of TRWPs indoors and outdoors. To support these studies, an analytical method has been developed to characterize and measure TRWPs in two distinct matrices: air samples and human blood. Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) was employed for the analyses. Quality assurance and quality control parameters were evaluated to ensure that obtained results are robust and reliable. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were sufficiently low for analyzing the majority of collected air samples (240 m3 per filter)(d-limonene: LOD=198 ng/half filter, LOQ=654 ng/half filter; SBR trimer: LOD=142 ng/ half filter, LOQ=468 ng/ half filter). Outdoor samples (n=8) from three locations varying in traffic intensity showed the highest concentration of 13.39 ng/m3 of NR and 16.55 ng/m3 of SBR Moreover, benzothiazole was detected in all the air samples above the LOQ as a confirmation of TRWP presence. Regarding the indoor filters, all levels were ¡ LOQ. However, the sampled volume was only half of that in the outdoor study. For the analysis of whole blood, the method validation results showed higher LODs and LOQs compared to the air samples experiment, due to matrix interferences. Benzothiazole was consistently detected in all spiked blood samples (n=8), showing a 67 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559472/document
More Papers Like This
Novel method for the characterization and quantification of rubber particles in air samples and human blood
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a novel method to characterize and quantify rubber particles from tire and road wear in air samples, targeting natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber. The method addresses a key gap in monitoring one of the largest sources of environmental microplastics.
Mass concentrations of common microplastics and tire wear rubbers in urban air
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured mass concentrations of common microplastics and tire wear rubber particles in urban ambient air, providing quantitative data for inhalation exposure assessment. Tire wear rubber dominated the airborne particle mass in traffic-influenced areas, exceeding concentrations of synthetic polymer microplastics.
A review of rubber tyre derived micro- and nanoplastics: fate, impact and risks
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Quantification of tire wear particles in road dust based on synthetic/natural rubber ratio using pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry across diverse tire types
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an improved method for measuring tire wear particles in road dust that accounts for differences in rubber composition across tire brands and types. They found that the standard ISO method, which assumes a fixed ratio of synthetic to natural rubber, can significantly misestimate tire wear concentrations. The refined approach provides more accurate measurements of this major source of microplastic pollution from road traffic.
Methods for laboratory-generation and physico-chemical characterisation of tyre wear particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a lab method to generate tire wear particles using a friction machine and then identified a suite of chemical compounds that could serve as reliable markers for detecting these particles in environmental samples. Tire wear is one of the largest single sources of microplastic pollution globally, yet quantifying it in the environment has been hampered by the lack of agreed marker compounds. This work lays groundwork for standardized monitoring of tire particle pollution in soils and waterways.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.