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Detecting the Invisible: Analytical Advances and Regulatory Gaps in Tyre and Road Wear Particle Pollution
Summary
This research review reveals that tiny particles from car tires scraping against roads make up nearly 28% of all microplastic pollution worldwide, yet we barely understand or regulate this massive source of contamination. These tire particles contain rubber, metals, and other chemicals that spread through the air we breathe and water systems, but scientists still lack consistent methods to properly detect and measure them. The study highlights an urgent need for better testing methods and pollution policies to protect human health from this largely invisible but widespread form of microplastic exposure.
Tyre and road wear particles (TRWPs) represent one of the most significant yet under-recognised sources of global microplastic pollution, contributing up to 28% of total emissions. Generated from the complex interaction between vehicle tyres and road surfaces, TRWPs are chemically diverse, morphologically heterogeneous, and environmentally persistent, making their detection and management particularly challenging. This review provides a critical synthesis of current knowledge on TRWP generation mechanisms, influenced by tyre composition, road types, and vehicle operation, and their environmental dispersion through air, stormwater runoff, snow removal, and roadside deposition. The chemical and physical complexity of TRWPs—often composed of rubber, bitumen, road paint, and heavy metals—necessitates multifaceted analytical approaches. We synthesise current advancements in TRWP identification techniques, including microscopy, micro-spectroscopy, and thermal desorption methods, while benchmarking their applicability using ISO standards. Furthermore, we develop an integrated framework synthesising current classification schemes, detection strategies, and regional policy responses for TRWP assessment. By identifying analytical and regulatory gaps, this review highlights the need for harmonised methodologies, improved analytical comparability, and coordinated policy interventions to address the environmental and health implications of TRWPs.