We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Micron-size tire tread particles leach organic compounds at higher rates than centimeter-size particles: Compound identification and profile comparison
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared how micro-sized and centimeter-sized tire tread particles release chemicals into water and found that smaller particles leached organic compounds at substantially higher rates due to their greater surface area. The chemical analysis revealed hundreds of distinct compounds in the leachate, many of which have not been previously identified from tire wear. The findings suggest that as tire particles break down into smaller pieces in the environment, they become increasingly potent sources of chemical pollution in waterways.
Tire tread particles (TTP) are environmentally prevalent microplastics and generate toxic aqueous leachate. We determined the total carbon and nitrogen leachate concentrations and chemical profiles from micron (∼32 μm) and centimeter (∼1 cm) TTP leachate over 12 days. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) were used to measure the concentration of leached compounds. Nontargeted chemical analysis by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/TOF-MS) was used to compare the chemical profiles of leachates. After leaching for 12 days, DOC was 4.0 times higher in the micron TTP leachate than in the centimeter TTP leachate, and TDN was 2.6 times higher. The total GC×GC/TOF-MS chromatographic feature peak area was 2.9 times greater in the micron TTP leachate than the centimeter TTP leachate, and similarly, the total relative abundance of 54 tentatively identified compounds was 3.3 times greater. We identified frequently measured tire-related chemicals, such as 6PPD, N-cyclohexyl-N'-phenylurea (CPU), and hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine (HMMM), but nearly 50% of detected chemicals were not previously reported in tire literature or lacked toxicity information. Overall, the results demonstrate that smaller TTP have a greater potential to leach chemicals into aquatic systems, but a significant portion of these chemicals are not well-studied and require further risk assessment.
More Papers Like This
Tire wear particles in different water environments: occurrence, behavior, and biological effects—a review and perspectives
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Chemical Leaching from Tire Wear Particles with Various Treadwear Ratings
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how tire treadwear ratings affect chemical leaching from tire wear particles, finding that benzothiazole compounds leached at different rates depending on tire type, with an additional derivative (2-mercaptobenzothiazole) detected by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The findings suggest that using benzothiazole alone as a quantification marker for tire wear particles can lead to inaccurate estimates of environmental contamination.
A comparative analysis of the chemical composition and biofilm formation on tire wear particles from six different tire types
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed the chemical composition and biofilm communities forming on tire-wear particles compared to other microplastic types, finding that tire wear particles support distinct microbial assemblages. The unique surface chemistry of tire wear particles may promote the attachment of pathogens and toxin-producing microorganisms.
Microplastics and tire wear particles in aquatic environment: A comparative review on generation, characteristics and environmental behavior
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny bits of rubber worn off from car tires are actually one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution in our water, yet they've gotten far less scientific attention than plastic microplastics from bottles and packaging. This review paper — which summarizes existing research rather than presenting new experiments — shows that tire particles behave differently, potentially leaching different chemicals and carrying pollutants in unique ways, meaning the safety testing methods designed for regular microplastics may not fully capture the risks tire particles pose to waterways and, ultimately, human health.
Investigation of physical and chemical properties of particulate matter caused by vehicle tire wear
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized the physical and chemical properties of submicron tire wear particles generated from vehicle use on roadways. Using advanced analytical techniques, they identified the elemental composition and morphological structure of these particles, finding notable concentrations of metals and heavy metals. The study highlights that tire wear particles are a significant source of microplastic and chemical pollution with potential implications for human health and the environment.
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.