Plastic microparticles released into the environment from common road tyres should be treated as a “high concern” pollutant, that may exceed chronic safety limits in some heavily contaminated environments, new research has shown.
A team of researchers, led by experts from the University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth, has looked at the chronic toxicity of particles and chemical leachates found on a series of popular tyre brands.
They then looked at the effect these particles and chemicals would have on small planktonic crustaceans, the water flea (Dapnia magna).
Read More: University of Exeter
Tyre wear particles captured from the road network in wetlands used to trap stormwater. (Photo Credit: University of Plymouth Scanning Electron Microscopy Unit)