IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v14y2017i10p1265-d115861.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/14/10/1265/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/14/10/1265/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Baidya, S. & Borken-Kleefeld, J., 2009. "Atmospheric emissions from road transportation in India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 3812-3822, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    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. Dániel Szőllősi & Péter Kiss, 2024. "Effects of Water Injection in Diesel Engine Emission Treatment System—A Review in the Light of EURO 7," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-29, October.
    10. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hollands, A.F. & Daly, H., 2023. "Modelling the integrated achievement of clean cooking access and climate mitigation goals: An energy systems optimization approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    2. Ashok Kumar & Pardeep Singh & Nishant Raj Kapoor & Chandan Swaroop Meena & Kshitij Jain & Kishor S. Kulkarni & Raffaello Cozzolino, 2021. "Ecological Footprint of Residential Buildings in Composite Climate of India—A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-25, October.
    3. Rachana Vidhi & Prasanna Shrivastava, 2018. "A Review of Electric Vehicle Lifecycle Emissions and Policy Recommendations to Increase EV Penetration in India," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Liao, Chun-Hsiung & Lu, Chin-Shan & Tseng, Po-Hsing, 2011. "Carbon dioxide emissions and inland container transport in Taiwan," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 722-728.
    5. Malik, Leeza & Tiwari, Geetam, 2017. "Assessment of interstate freight vehicle characteristics and impact of future emission and fuel economy standards on their emissions in India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 121-133.
    6. Tejaswini Eregowda & Pritha Chatterjee & Digvijay S. Pawar, 2021. "Impact of lockdown associated with COVID19 on air quality and emissions from transportation sector: case study in selected Indian metropolitan cities," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 401-412, September.
    7. Ramachandra, T.V. & Aithal, Bharath H. & Sreejith, K., 2015. "GHG footprint of major cities in India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 473-495.
    8. Seungbae Sim & Jisoo Oh & Bongju Jeong, 2015. "Measuring greenhouse gas emissions for the transportation sector in Korea," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 230(1), pages 129-151, July.
    9. Luis Rivera-González & David Bolonio & Luis F. Mazadiego & Sebastián Naranjo-Silva & Kenny Escobar-Segovia, 2020. "Long-Term Forecast of Energy and Fuels Demand Towards a Sustainable Road Transport Sector in Ecuador (2016–2035): A LEAP Model Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-26, January.
    10. Jha, Amit Prakash & Singh, Sanjay Kumar, 2022. "Future mobility in India from a changing energy mix perspective," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 706-724.
    11. Souza, Cristiane Duarte Ribeiro de & Silva, Suellem Deodoro & Silva, Marcelino Aurélio Vieira da & D’Agosto, Márcio de Almeida & Barboza, Arthur Prado, 2013. "Inventory of conventional air pollutants emissions from road transportation for the state of Rio de Janeiro," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 125-135.
    12. Gilmore, Elisabeth A. & Patwardhan, Anand, 2016. "Passenger vehicles that minimize the costs of ownership and environmental damages in the Indian market," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 863-872.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:10:p:1265-:d:115861. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.