skip to main content
Language:
Search Limited to: Search Limited to: Resource type Show Results with: Show Results with: Search type Index

Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of Microplastics in the Environment

International journal of environmental research and public health, 2017-10, Vol.14 (10), p.1265 [Peer Reviewed Journal]

Copyright MDPI AG 2017 ;2017 by the authors. 2017 ;ISSN: 1660-4601 ;ISSN: 1661-7827 ;EISSN: 1660-4601 ;DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101265 ;PMID: 29053641

Full text available

Citations Cited by
  • Title:
    Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of Microplastics in the Environment
  • Author: Kole, Pieter Jan ; Löhr, Ansje J ; Van Belleghem, Frank G A J ; Ragas, Ad M J
  • Subjects: Air pollution ; Automotive parts ; Carbon black ; Emissions ; Environmental health ; Food chains ; Health risks ; Leachates ; Microplastics ; Oceans ; Particulate emissions ; Particulate matter ; Pathways ; Plastics ; Polyethylene terephthalate ; Polymers ; Public health ; Regulators ; Review ; Rubber ; Sewage ; Sewer systems ; Tearing ; Tires ; Turf ; Wear
  • Is Part Of: International journal of environmental research and public health, 2017-10, Vol.14 (10), p.1265
  • Description: Wear and tear from tyres significantly contributes to the flow of (micro-)plastics into the environment. This paper compiles the fragmented knowledge on tyre wear and tear characteristics, amounts of particles emitted, pathways in the environment, and the possible effects on humans. The estimated per capita emission ranges from 0.23 to 4.7 kg/year, with a global average of 0.81 kg/year. The emissions from car tyres (100%) are substantially higher than those of other sources of microplastics, e.g., airplane tyres (2%), artificial turf (12-50%), brake wear (8%) and road markings (5%). Emissions and pathways depend on local factors like road type or sewage systems. The relative contribution of tyre wear and tear to the total global amount of plastics ending up in our oceans is estimated to be 5-10%. In air, 3-7% of the particulate matter (PM ) is estimated to consist of tyre wear and tear, indicating that it may contribute to the global health burden of air pollution which has been projected by the World Health Organization (WHO) at 3 million deaths in 2012. The wear and tear also enters our food chain, but further research is needed to assess human health risks. It is concluded here that tyre wear and tear is a stealthy source of microplastics in our environment, which can only be addressed effectively if awareness increases, knowledge gaps on quantities and effects are being closed, and creative technical solutions are being sought. This requires a global effort from all stakeholders; consumers, regulators, industry and researchers alike.
  • Publisher: Switzerland: MDPI AG
  • Language: English
  • Identifier: ISSN: 1660-4601
    ISSN: 1661-7827
    EISSN: 1660-4601
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101265
    PMID: 29053641
  • Source: Geneva Foundation Free Medical Journals at publisher websites
    PubMed Central
    ProQuest Central
Back to results list
INSPIRE LIBRARY - TON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY (84-028) 37 755 057 Feedback
19 Nguyen Huu Tho St. Dist.7, HCM thuvien@tdtu.edu.vn

Copyright © 2017 INSPIRE LIBRARY - TON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY

Searching Remote Databases, Please Wait