New research from UBCO has determined that as tires and roads wear down particles of that waste are spread across roadways and can eventually end up in rivers, streams and lakes. Credit: UBCO
Key Points:
- 15 tons or more of microplastics from tire and road wear are contaminating nearby lakes and rivers per year.
- Researchers say a uniform and comprehensive management and treatment strategy must be developed to limit the environmental ramifications.
- One possibility is to apply wetlands or roadside swales to handle runoff.
Tires are critical for transportation and about 1.5 billion tires are produced annually to meet global demand—leading to almost 6 million tons of tire and road wear particles being generated around the world. A new study says an increasing amount of those particles are being released into the waterways.
According to researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan, more than 15 tons of tire and road wear particles are released into waterways annually in Okanagan.
“The results are quite significant,” said lead author Haroon Mian, a UBC postdoctoral research associate. “It’s especially alarming considering that this microscopic waste can contaminate our freshwater sources.”
Both synthetic rubber and vulcanized natural rubber are considered forms of elastomeric polymers contributing to microplastics; but, it isn’t just rubber that causes contamination.
“Over time, all of those materials begin to break down and can release chemical additives that affect aquatic species,” explained Mian.
While some of the materials end up in the atmosphere, the majority of the tire and road wear particles are spread across roadways and eventually end up in aquatic environments.
The issue is both local and global. At the local level, Mian says Canadian lakes like Okanagan and Kalamalka are being unknowingly contaminated every day as thousands of people drive the highways connecting BC interior communities.
“This analysis focused on a small section of highway in the BC interior, but the findings suggest that other regions across Canada may experience the same challenges with this type of contamination,” said Mian. “A more uniform and comprehensive management and treatment strategy must be developed to limit the possible environmental ramifications.”
As part of his research, Mian also conducted a scenario-based assessment to estimate tire and road wear emissions by considering various real-time factors, such as tire and roadway degradation in the environment and seasonal variations. His report recommends implementing tire wear labels and standardization policies, adopting tire pressure monitoring systems, and applying wetlands or roadside swales as a secondary runoff treatment.
Information provided by University of British Columbia.