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Mitigation measures to reduce microplastics from tires

The MinPlas project aims to minimize the environmental impact of microplastics by identifying and quantifying important emission sources. The biggest source of these emissions is the result of tire abrasion, caused by friction between tires and the road while driving. Emissions resulting from tire abrasion are called Tire and Road Wear Particles (TWRP) and are considered to be a type of microplastics.

An important step to reduce the release of these TWRP is the assessment of possible mitigation measures. These mitigation measures can be aimed to tackle different aspects, such as tire use, tire design and innovative interventions. Currently, no mitigation measures are set in place, though the topic is receiving more and more interest from different parts of society.  

The aim of the current MSc project is to provide a prioritization of mitigation measures based on their effectiveness and feasibility. This would involve the following activities:

  • Make an inventory of the different mitigation measures possible
  • Look into the potential effects of the different (or main) mitigation measures on the minimization of microplastics 
  • Assess how these mitigation measures can be realized. For example, which steps should be taken on what scale.
  • Prioritize the different measures based on effectiveness and feasibility

Project form: literature review, assessment, optional: stakeholder contact

Literature:

  • Baensch-Baltruschat, B., Kocher, B., Stock, F., & Reifferscheid, G. (2020). Tyre and road wear particles (TRWP)-A review of generation, properties, emissions, human health risk, ecotoxicity, and fate in the environment. Science of the Total Environment, 733, 137823.
  • Furuseth, I. S., & Rødland, E. S. (2020). Reducing the Release of Microplastic from Tire Wear: Nordic Efforts. Nordiske arbeidspapierer (Nordic Working Papers).
  • OECD (2021). Policies to reduce Microplastics Pollution in Water - focus on Textiles and Tyres.  
  • Vuola, A., Secretariat, H. E. L. C. O. M., Ruiz, M., & Vianello, A. Draft review of existing policies and research related to microplastics.

Contact: dr. Jikke van Wijnen en Sya Hoeke (PhD).