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Quantification of tire wear particles in road dust based on synthetic/natural rubber ratio using pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry across diverse tire types
Summary
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.
Increase in road traffic leads to increased concentrations of tire-wear particles (TWPs), a prominent source of microplastics from vehicles, in road dust. These particles can re-enter the atmosphere or move into aquatic ecosystems via runoff, impacting the environment. Consequently, accurately assessing and managing TWP levels in road dust is crucial. However, the ISO method (ISO/TS 20593 and 21396) uses a constant ratio of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) to natural rubber (NR) for all tires, disregarding the variability in tire composition across different types and brands. Our study found substantial SBR content (15.7 %) in heavyweight truck tires, traditionally believed to be predominantly NR. We evaluated the SBR/NR content in 15 tire types and proposed a method to more accurately evaluate TWP concentrations in road dust from five different locations. Our findings suggest that the conventional ISO method may underestimate the concentrations of TWP due to its reliance on a static ratio of SBR/NR. This study underscores the necessity for a more flexible approach that can adapt to the variability in SBR and NR content across different tire types. By delineating the limitations inherent in current assessment methods, our research contributes to a more adaptable understanding of TWP concentrations in road dust. This advancement prompts the development of a revised methodology that more accurately reflects the diverse compositions of tire rubber in environmental samples.