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Tire wear particles in aquatic environments: A systematic review of sources, detection, distribution, and toxicological impacts
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This systematic review examined tire wear particles — a type of microplastic created as tires wear down on roads — as an emerging water pollutant. These particles wash into rivers and oceans through stormwater runoff and contain toxic chemicals that harm aquatic organisms. Since tire wear is one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution, this is relevant to anyone living near roads or consuming seafood.
Tire wear particles (TWP), microplastic fragments generated through abrasion and volatilization, represent an emerging contaminant in aquatic ecosystems due to continuous input via stormwater runoff. This study screened 671 articles and conducted a bibliometric analysis of TWP research published between 2004 and 2024. The review synthesizes findings on TWP sources, detection methods, environmental distribution, and ecotoxicological impacts. Use phase was identified as a major emission source, closely linked to frictional forces. Current detection methods remain non-standardized, particularly within complex environmental matrices, limiting comparability across studies and resulting in sparse distribution data, especially for marine systems. Elevated concentrations reported in surface water and road runoff suggest ecological risks associated with TWP presence. Sediments consistently exhibit higher accumulation, confirming their role as long-term sinks. Toxicological evidence indicates adverse effects from TWP particles and leachates through physical properties, adsorption, and the release of chemicals, with priority toxicants including 6PPD-Q, zinc, and benzothiazole. However, mechanisms of action remain unclear, and laboratory exposures often exceed environmental levels. This review integrates quantitative data across aquatic compartments, identifies key toxicants, and highlights methodological gaps in detection. We emphasize the urgent need for standardized detection protocols, environmentally relevant toxicity testing, and regulatory measures to mitigate TWP pollution in aquatic systems.
More Papers Like This
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.
Review: Micro- and macro-scale transport of tire wear particles in aquatic environments and risk control
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Every time tires wear down on roads, they shed tiny plastic-like particles that eventually wash into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This review pulls together existing research on how these particles settle, travel, and build up in water — a key step in understanding where they end up and how they might affect aquatic life and, potentially, the food and water humans rely on. While it doesn't test new health effects, it lays the groundwork for figuring out how to reduce this widespread but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics and tire wear particles in aquatic environment: A comparative review on generation, characteristics and environmental behavior
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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.
Microplastics from tyre and road wear A literature review
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This literature review examines microplastics generated from tire and road wear, identifying road traffic as a significant but often overlooked source of plastic pollution in urban runoff and waterways. The authors assess what is known about tire particle composition, environmental fate, and potential ecological effects.
A review of rubber tyre derived micro- and nanoplastics: fate, impact and risks
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This systematic review examines microplastics generated from rubber tire wear, which are a major but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution. Tire particles spread through air, stormwater, and wastewater to contaminate both land and water. This is an important human health concern because tire-derived microplastics contain toxic chemicals and are found in the air people breathe and the water they drink.
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