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Quantifying pathways of tyre wear into the environment.
Chunyi Zheng1, Daniel Mehlig2, Tim Oxley2
1Centre for Sustainability, Ledvance GmbH, China; Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Environmental Research
|July 4, 2025
Summary
Annually, 79.5 kilotons of tyre wear particles (TWPs) are released in the UK. This study maps their environmental pathways, revealing significant transfers to atmosphere, water, and soil, with rural-urban redistribution via sewage sludge.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Soil Science
- Water Quality
Background:
- Tyre wear particles (TWPs) are a significant environmental pollutant.
- Understanding TWP environmental pathways is crucial for mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first national-scale spatial analysis of tyre wear particle (TWP) pathways in the UK.
- To quantify TWP mass flux into different environmental compartments.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mass flux particle pathway framework.
- Integrated the UK Integrated Assessment Model at 1 km² resolution.
- Performed sensitivity analysis to assess uncertainties.
Main Results:
- Estimated annual TWP release of 79.5 kilotons.
- Quantified pathways: 1.3–6.7 kt to atmosphere, 23.0–34.0 kt to surface waters, 18.5–30.2 kt to soils, 16.7–29.2 kt via management.
- Identified significant rural-urban TWP transfer (6.3–13.1 kt) via sewage sludge.
Conclusions:
- Spatial modelling of TWP pathways is essential for environmental management.
- TWP distribution is complex, influenced by infrastructure and management systems.
- Highlights the need for improved understanding and mitigation of tyre wear pollution.
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