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Title: | Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of Microplastics in the Environment | Authors: | Kole, Pieter Jan Löhr, Ansje J. VAN BELLEGHEM, Frank Ragas, Ad M. J. |
Issue Date: | 2017 | Publisher: | MDPI AG | Source: | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 14(10), p. 1-31 (Art N° 1265) | 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 (PM2.5) 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. | Notes: | [Kole, Pieter Jan; Lohr, Ansje J.; Van Belleghem, Frank G. A. J.; Ragas, Ad M. J.] Open Univ Netherlands, Dept Sci, Fac Management Sci & Technol, NL-6419 AT Heerlen, Netherlands. [Van Belleghem, Frank G. A. J.] Hasselt Univ, Ctr Environm Sci, Zool Biodivers & Toxicol, BE-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. [Ragas, Ad M. J.] Radboud Univ Nijmegen, Inst Water & Wetland Res, Fac Sci, NL-6525 AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands. | Keywords: | tyre wear and tear; microplastics; particulate matter; tyre rubber;tyre wear and tear; microplastics; particulate matter; tyre rubber | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/25700 | ISSN: | 1661-7827 | e-ISSN: | 1660-4601 | DOI: | 10.3390/ijerph14101265 | ISI #: | 000414763200174 | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution | Validations: | ecoom 2018 |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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kole 1.pdf | Published version | 1.27 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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