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

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  • Pieter Jan Kole

    (Department of Science, Faculty of Management, Science & Technology, Open University of The Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands)

  • Ansje J. Löhr

    (Department of Science, Faculty of Management, Science & Technology, Open University of The Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands)

  • Frank G. A. J. Van Belleghem

    (Department of Science, Faculty of Management, Science & Technology, Open University of The Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, BE 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium)

  • Ad M. J. Ragas

    (Department of Science, Faculty of Management, Science & Technology, Open University of The Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Institute of Water and Wetland Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

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 2.5 ) 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Pieter Jan Kole & Ansje J. Löhr & Frank G. A. J. Van Belleghem & Ad M. J. Ragas, 2017. "Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of Microplastics in the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-31, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:10:p:1265-:d:115861
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baidya, S. & Borken-Kleefeld, J., 2009. "Atmospheric emissions from road transportation in India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 3812-3822, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yamei Cai & Chen Li & Yaqian Zhao, 2021. "A Review of the Migration and Transformation of Microplastics in Inland Water Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Miner, Patrick & Smith, Barbara M. & Jani, Anant & McNeill, Geraldine & Gathorne-Hardy, Alfred, 2024. "Car harm: A global review of automobility's harm to people and the environment," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. Demmelash Mengistu & Vegard Nilsen & Arve Heistad & Knut Kvaal, 2019. "Detection and Quantification of Tire Particles in Sediments Using a Combination of Simultaneous Thermal Analysis, Fourier Transform Infra-Red, and Parallel Factor Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Jon Tivey & Huw C. Davies & James G. Levine & Josias Zietsman & Suzanne Bartington & Sergio Ibarra-Espinosa & Karl Ropkins, 2023. "Meta-Analysis as Early Evidence on the Particulate Emissions Impact of EURO VI on Battery Electric Bus Fleet Transitions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-30, January.
    5. Tess Sigwarth & Johannes Büchner & Michael P. Wistuba, 2022. "Bio-Degradable Wax to Modify Asphalt Binder for Warm Mix Asphalt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Wei Wu & Jun Ma & Dong Liu & Qiao Xu & Gang Li, 2022. "Scientific Knowledge Mapping and Thematic Evolution for Tire Wear Particles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Maksymilian Mądziel, 2023. "Vehicle Emission Models and Traffic Simulators: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-31, May.
    8. Arlinda Cakaj & Marta Lisiak-Zielińska & Kinga Drzewiecka & Anna Budka & Klaudia Borowiak & Maria Drapikowska & Arbnore Cakaj & Erjon Qorri & Piotr Szkudlarz, 2023. "Potential Impact of Urban Land Use on Microplastic Atmospheric Deposition: A Case Study in Pristina City, Kosovo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-14, November.
    9. Vivien Lorenčič, 2023. "The Effect of Tire Age and Anti-Lock Braking System on the Coefficient of Friction and Braking Distance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    10. Maryna Strokal & Paul Vriend & Mirjam P. Bak & Carolien Kroeze & Jikke Wijnen & Tim Emmerik, 2023. "River export of macro- and microplastics to seas by sources worldwide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    11. Xin Li & Guanlai Zhu, 2023. "Green Supply Chain Coordination Considering Carbon Emissions and Product Green Level Dependent Demand," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, May.
    12. Edith Dube & Grace Emily Okuthe, 2023. "Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-23, August.
    13. Shampa Ghosh & Jitendra Kumar Sinha & Soumya Ghosh & Kshitij Vashisth & Sungsoo Han & Rakesh Bhaskar, 2023. "Microplastics as an Emerging Threat to the Global Environment and Human Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    14. Barouch Giechaskiel & Theodoros Grigoratos & Marcel Mathissen & Joris Quik & Peter Tromp & Mats Gustafsson & Vicente Franco & Panagiota Dilara, 2024. "Contribution of Road Vehicle Tyre Wear to Microplastics and Ambient Air Pollution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-31, January.

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