Road to Contamination: Investigating the Environmental Impact of Tyres and the Chemicals they Contain

Tyre wear particles (TWPs) generated from vehicular traffic are a significant contributor to microplastic pollution. The friction caused by mechanical abrasion between tyres and road surfaces leads to the emission of tyre wear particles (TWP) into the environment. TWPs may contain a range of additives, and harmful substances like heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and plasticisers, which can pose risks to organisms and ecosystems. TWPs contain a range of additives, chemicals added on purpose, such as 6-PPD that is toxic to coho salmon, once transformed into 6PPD-quinone. Australia, known for its diverse landscapes and extensive road network, experiences significant pollution generation from vehicle traffic. To date, concentrations of microplastics have been reported in Australian road dust, however, there is no study/information reporting the concentrations of tyres and tyre additives in Australian road dust, soil, and sediment. A few studies around the world have investigated the tyre concentrations in road dust such as in Seoul, Korea metropolitan area. The concentrations reported in industrial and residential area road dust were 22,581 and 9,818 μg/g, respectively, indicating high concentrations of tyre wear particles. But no related data on the Australian environment is available. In Australia, factors such as climate, road surface conditions, and vehicle types contribute to variations in road dust characteristics. Thus, assessing the concentrations of tyres and tyre additives in the Australian context is crucial to understanding the effects on environmental quality and health, and human well-being. Thus, this PhD project aims to do a comprehensive assessment of tyre wear particles and tyre additives in Australian environment, which will provide valuable insights into the potential environmental and health risks associated with tyre use.

Please note, this is a PhD Student Progress Review.