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Cocktail effects of tire wear particles leachates on diverse biological models: A multilevel analysis
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Tire wear particles, a major but underappreciated source of microplastic pollution, leached chemicals into seawater that inhibited algae growth, caused developmental problems in zebrafish embryos, and showed hormone-disrupting effects in cell tests. The study found that water-soluble organic compounds from tires -- not just heavy metals like zinc -- were the primary drivers of toxicity, underscoring the need for better regulation of tire additives.
Tire wear particles (TWP) stand out as a major contributor to microplastic pollution, yet their environmental impact remains inadequately understood. This study delves into the cocktail effects of TWP leachates, employing molecular, cellular, and organismal assessments on diverse biological models. Extracted in artificial seawater and analyzed for metals and organic compounds, TWP leachates revealed the presence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and 4-tert-octylphenol. Exposure to TWP leachates (1.5 to 1000 mg peq L-1) inhibited algae growth and induced zebrafish embryotoxicity, pigment alterations, and behavioral changes. Cell painting uncovered pro-apoptotic changes, while mechanism-specific gene-reporter assays highlighted endocrine-disrupting potential, particularly antiandrogenic effects. Although heavy metals like zinc have been suggested as major players in TWP leachate toxicity, this study emphasizes water-leachable organic compounds as the primary causative agents of observed acute toxicity. The findings underscore the need to reduce TWP pollution in aquatic systems and enhance regulations governing highly toxic tire additives.
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Mechanistic insight into the adverse outcome of tire wear and road particle leachate exposure in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae
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Researchers studied how chemicals that leach from tire wear particles affect developing zebrafish, a common lab organism. The tire particle chemicals damaged eye development and impaired swimming behavior, even at concentrations found in the real environment. Since tire wear is one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution, these findings raise concerns about the ecological impact of road runoff on aquatic life.
Toxicity of micro and nano tire particles and leachate for model freshwater organisms
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Researchers tested the toxicity of micro- and nano-sized tire particles and their chemical leachates on zebrafish embryos and water fleas, two commonly used model organisms. They found that nano-sized tire particles were more toxic than micro-sized ones, and that the chemical leachate alone also caused significant developmental harm to zebrafish. The study demonstrates that tire debris poses a meaningful environmental risk to freshwater organisms through both direct particle exposure and the release of harmful chemicals.
Chemical toxicity screening of tire particle leachates from vehicles and their effects on organisms across three trophic levels
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Researchers prepared leachates from bicycle, car, and electric scooter tire particles and tested toxicity across three organisms, finding that zinc and benzothiazole were the primary toxic compounds and that tire particle leachates caused growth inhibition in plants, mortality in water fleas, and developmental abnormalities in zebrafish.
Tire wear particles in different water environments: occurrence, behavior, and biological effects—a review and perspectives
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This review examines tire wear particles, a major but often overlooked source of microplastics in water environments. Tire particles release toxic chemicals as they break down in water and can harm aquatic organisms, but most research has focused only on the chemical leachate rather than the particles themselves. Since tire wear contributes a large share of total microplastic pollution, understanding its full impact on water ecosystems and the food chain is important for human health.
Comparative toxicity of tire wear particle leachates: Zinc as a key toxicant affecting development and motility in zebrafish larvae
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Researchers compared the toxicity of leachates from tire wear particles with different treadwear grades on zebrafish larvae, finding that zinc was the primary toxicant responsible for developmental impairment and reduced motility across all treadwear grades tested.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.