Tyre particles must be considered ‘distinct environmental threat’
A new study has revealed particulates from vehicle tyres are now the leading cause of microplastic pollution, with individual environmental and health risks.
An international team of scientists, including members of the University of Portsmouth and the Norwegian Research Centre [NORCE], has found that one-third of microplastics originate from tyre particles [TPs]. Given the unique nature of these materials, experts now believe they should be treated as their own specific type of threat to nature, animal and human health.
Unlike conventional microplastics, which are made up of comparatively simple polymer chains, TPs are made from rubber and a complex mix of synthetic materials, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and stabilising chemicals. This makeup means they are capable of degrading the environment, spreading across land through runoff and rind, and eventually leaking into the food chain.
By gathering experts that focus on different aspects of TP pollution, from environmental presence, analytical detection, toxic effects and regulation, this study provides an overview of the current state of research and what questions we should be focussed on next. Importantly, this study provides a road-map for future research needs,’ said Dr Farhan R. Khan Senior Researcher at NORCE.
While emphasising what is known about TPs, the study has revealed a huge knowledge gap in terms of the prevalence of these particles in the environment, the toxicity of particles, and how they are transported. Ten areas must be prioritised, including environmental detection, chemical composition, biotic impacts, and regulation.
The team, which involves specialists from the , US, Norway, Australia, South Korea, Finland, Austria, China, and Canada, are also calling for more transparency in terms of the chemicals used in tyre production and an end to industrial confidentiality which is used to protect innovations but limits impact into specific compounds. An intergovernmental science-policy panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution to tackle TPs globally should also be created.
‘Tyre particles are classified as microplastics, yet they contain hundreds of unknown chemicals, many of which leach into the environment and pose unknown risks. Our study calls for TPs to be separated from traditional microplastics and recognised as a unique threat to environmental and public health. We need focused research to understand their pathways and impact,’ said Henry Obanya, from the Institute of Marine Science and member of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth.
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