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Quantifying pathways of tyre wear into the environment.
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Researchers conducted the first national-scale spatial analysis of tyre wear particle (TWP) pathways in the UK, estimating that 79.5 kilotonnes of TWPs are released annually with 23-34 kt reaching surface waters, 18.5-30.2 kt deposited on roadsides, and 1.3-6.7 kt entering the atmosphere.
This study provides the first national-scale spatial analysis of tyre wear particle (TWP) pathways in the UK, employing a mass flux particle pathway framework integrated with the UK Integrated Assessment Model at 1 km resolution. Results show 79.5 kt of TWPs are released annually, with between 1.3 kt to 6.7 kt enter the atmosphere, 23.0 kt to 34.0 kt reaching surface waters,18.5 kt to 30.2 kt depositing in soils, and 16.7 kt to 29.2 kt removed via management systems. Sensitivity analysis reveals notable uncertainties in these estimates. A significant rural-urban transfer mechanism redistributes 6.3 kt to 13.1 kt of urban-derived TWPs to agricultural soils through sewage sludge application. Atmospheric emissions are concentrated around major roads and urban centres, while soil and water pathways exhibit complex distributions driven by infrastructure systems. This study highlights the potential for improved spatial modelling of the pathways of tyre wear into the environment.
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What is known and unknown concerning microplastics from tyre wear?
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This review synthesizes current knowledge on tyre wear particles (TWPs) as a major source of road-traffic microplastics, covering how particle generation, transport pathways, and environmental fate depend on tyre composition, road characteristics, and weather. A key finding is that while TWPs can be identified in environmental samples, quantifying them precisely remains difficult and expensive—a gap that must be closed to accurately assess human and ecological exposure.
Tyre wear particles: an abundant yet widely unreported microplastic?
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Researchers collected tire wear particles from roadside drains and natural environments near a major UK road, finding that these particles are abundant and widespread yet frequently undetected in environmental monitoring, suggesting tyre wear is a major but under-reported microplastic source.
Tyre and road wear particles - A calculation of generation, transport and release to water and soil with special regard to German roads
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This study calculated that German roads generate 75,000 to 98,000 tons of tire and road wear particles annually, with a significant portion reaching surface waters and roadside soils. The findings highlight tire wear as a major but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution requiring better data and management strategies.
Tyre Wear Particles: Emissions and Distribution in Soil and Stormwater Systems in Near Road Environments
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Researchers conducted a multi-scale investigation of tyre wear particle emissions in Sweden, characterizing their distribution in roadside ditches and stormwater systems and developing a national emissions estimation methodology using vehicle-specific factors. Passenger cars were identified as the largest contributor at 55% of total tyre wear particle emissions, and the study evaluated the effectiveness of selected mitigation strategies.
Tire wear particles in the aquatic environment - A review on generation, analysis, occurrence, fate and effects
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Researchers reviewed available science on tire wear particles (TWP) — tiny fragments shed from tires during driving — finding that Europe alone generates over 1.3 million tonnes per year, but critical data on environmental concentrations, transport to waterways, and aquatic toxicity remain too limited for robust ecological risk assessment.
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