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Paving the road to a circular economy: Analysis of microplastic and plastic additive leachates from asphalt containing recycled plastics in Hawai'i
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Researchers analyzed microplastic and chemical additive leaching from three asphalt formulations — standard polymer-modified asphalt, virgin HDPE-modified asphalt, and recycled post-industrial HDPE-modified asphalt — used in a pilot project on O'ahu, Hawai'i, providing the first assessment of contamination potential from recycled-plastic road infrastructure.
As support for a plastic circular economy increases, research aimed at recycling waste plastics into infrastructure is gaining momentum. On O'ahu, Hawai'i, a pilot project evaluated further modifying a standard polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) binder, typically prepared with the virgin co-polymer styrene-butadiene-styrene, with recycled post-industrial high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. This study provides the first in-depth analysis of microplastic and plastic additive leaching from asphalt pavement containing recycled plastics. Three different asphalt mixes were tested: standard PMA binder, PMA binder further modified with recycled post-industrial HDPE pellets, and conventional (unmodified) binder modified with recycled post-industrial HDPE pellets. Triplicate high-purity water samples were collected for microplastic and plastic additive analysis following two mechanical performance tests (Moisture Induced Sensitivity Test (MIST) and Hamburg Wheel Tracker Test (HWTT)) and a simulated rainfall on a public experimental roadway. For microplastic analysis, water samples were filtered through 20 μm polycarbonate filters, density separated with a sodium polytungstate solution, and analyzed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (MIST and HWTT) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HWTT and Road). Results from laboratory testing show minimal HDPE particles leaching from all asphalt mixes, with no difference between the standard and recycled plastic mixes. Water samples from the experimental road are currently undergoing final analysis. To evaluate potential plastic additives (e.g., phthalates, flame retardants) and chemicals of concern (i.e., 6PPDQ and PAHs), water samples were subjected to solid phase extraction and elutions were condensed under a steady stream of nitrogen to await gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Our study provides novel methods to detect, characterize, and quantify microplastics and plastic additives leaching from asphalt roadways while contributing solutions to mitigate the deleterious effects of plastic waste on Hawaii's environment and beyond. Final microplastic and plastic additive quantification results will be presented. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559041/document
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Paving the road to a circular economy: Analysis of microplastic and plastic additive leachates from asphalt containing recycled plastics in Hawai'i
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first in-depth analysis of microplastic and plastic additive leaching from asphalt pavement containing recycled post-industrial high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic on O'ahu, Hawai'i, testing three asphalt mixes and finding that recycled-plastic-modified asphalt released measurable microplastics and chemical additives into leachate.
Plastic Recycling in Asphalt Concrete Pavements: Preliminary Observations from Hawaii’s Pilot Project
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This paper presents results from a Hawaii pilot project testing asphalt mixes containing recycled plastic waste, evaluating their pavement performance. Incorporating plastic waste into road surfaces permanently sequesters it, preventing these materials from fragmenting into microplastics in the environment.
Investigating the Potential Release of Microplastics from Recycled Plastic Modified Asphalt Pavement
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Researchers investigated whether microplastics are released from recycled plastic-modified asphalt pavement, examining the potential for road surfaces incorporating plastic waste to become a secondary source of microplastic pollution in surrounding environments.
A systematic review on sustainable utilization of plastic waste in asphalt: assessing environmental and health impact, performance, and economic viability
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Researchers systematically reviewed plastic-modified asphalt, finding that while recycled plastic waste can improve road performance in some cases, it also poses environmental health risks through microplastic release, carcinogenic compound emissions, and volatile organic compound off-gassing, with cost-effectiveness varying widely by plastic type and processing method.
Microplastics Generated from Recycled Plastic Modified Asphalt Pavement: Method Development and Laboratory Evaluation
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This study developed laboratory methods to measure how much microplastic is shed by asphalt pavement made with recycled plastic, filling an important knowledge gap as recycled-plastic roads are promoted as a sustainability solution. The research raises the concern that pavements incorporating waste plastic could become a previously unrecognized source of microplastic pollution over their service life.
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