Tyre Wear Particles in the Environment: Sources, Toxicity, and Remediation Approaches

Jie Kang, Xintong Liu, Bing Dai, Tianhao Liu, Fasih Ullah Haider (), Peng Zhang, Habiba and Jian Cai ()
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Jie Kang: National Technique Innovation Centre for Regional Wheat Production, Key Laboratory of Crop and Ecophysiology in Southern China, Nanjing Agricultural University, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, China
Xintong Liu: College of Agriculture, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
Bing Dai: State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
Tianhao Liu: State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
Fasih Ullah Haider: State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
Peng Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
Habiba: Department of Biological Science, Science Hall-3401, Lehman College-CUNY, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
Jian Cai: National Technique Innovation Centre for Regional Wheat Production, Key Laboratory of Crop and Ecophysiology in Southern China, Nanjing Agricultural University, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-31

Abstract: Tyre wear particles (TWPs), generated from tyre-road abrasion, are a pervasive and under-regulated environmental pollutant, accounting for a significant share of global microplastic contamination. Recent estimates indicate that 1.3 million metric tons of TWPs are released annually in Europe, dispersing via atmospheric transport, stormwater runoff, and sedimentation to contaminate air, water, and soil. TWPs are composed of synthetic rubber polymers, reinforcing fillers, and chemical additives, including heavy metals such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) and organic compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD). These constituents confer persistence and bioaccumulative potential. While TWP toxicity in aquatic systems is well-documented, its ecological impacts on terrestrial environments, particularly in agricultural soils, remain less understood despite global soil loading rates exceeding 6.1 million metric tons annually. This review synthesizes global research on TWP sources, environmental fate, and ecotoxicological effects, with a focus on soil–plant systems. TWPs have been shown to alter key soil properties, including a 25% reduction in porosity and a 20–35% decrease in organic matter decomposition, disrupt microbial communities (with a 40–60% reduction in nitrogen-fixing bacteria), and induce phytotoxicity through both physical blockage of roots and Zn-induced oxidative stress. Human exposure occurs through inhalation (estimated at 3200 particles per day in urban areas), ingestion, and dermal contact, with epidemiological evidence linking TWPs to increased risks of respiratory, cardiovascular, and developmental disorders. Emerging remediation strategies are critically evaluated across three tiers: (1) source reduction using advanced tyre materials (up to 40% wear reduction in laboratory tests); (2) environmental interception through bioengineered filtration systems (60–80% capture efficiency in pilot trials); and (3) contaminant degradation via novel bioremediation techniques (up to 85% removal in recent studies). Key research gaps remain, including the need for long-term field studies, standardized mitigation protocols, and integrated risk assessments. This review emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing TWP pollution and offers guidance on sustainable solutions to protect ecosystems and public health through science-driven policy recommendations.

Keywords: tyre wear particles; microplastics; soil contamination; phytotoxicity; human health risks; remediation strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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