Issue 2, 2024

Traceable determination of metal composition of tyres using tandem ICP-MS and benchmarking of emissions inventories

Abstract

Non-exhaust emissions are becoming of increasing significance with respect to total particulate matter (PM) concentrations in ambient air. Of particular interest is the metal content of this PM since metallic compounds are well known to have toxic effects on human health and the environment. In this study, ‘bottom-up’ annual tyre wear emission rates were estimated and compared to top-down’ emissions declared by the UK; it was calculated that between 14 and 25 tonnes of Zn entered the atmosphere in PM10 in 2020. The emission rates were estimated using a cost-effective, simple but robust validated method for analysis of the metals in tyres using tandem inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) for the first time, involving minimal offline sample preparation. This method was applied to five different tyre makes and brands, all available for sale in the UK, and the uncertainty of each measurement was determined. Traceability was ensured in all methods and novel validation techniques were applied due to lack of available reference materials. Zn was found to be the largest metal component in all tyres with a mass fraction of approximately 10 mg g−1. The mean mass fractions of metals in the tyres decreased in the order of Zn > Al > Fe > Mg > Ti > Pb > Cu > Ba > Ni. Significant differences in composition were found between the five tyres. The relative expanded uncertainties of the metals measurements ranged from 4 to 21%, with elements of higher mass fraction resulting in lower uncertainties. These findings will contribute to assessing current and future air quality challenges and will help to inform regulation surrounding non-exhaust emissions.

Graphical abstract: Traceable determination of metal composition of tyres using tandem ICP-MS and benchmarking of emissions inventories

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 aug 2023
Accepted
09 jan 2024
First published
16 jan 2024

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024,26, 298-304

Traceable determination of metal composition of tyres using tandem ICP-MS and benchmarking of emissions inventories

E. C. Braysher, A. S. Brown, R. J. C. Brown and N. Molden, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024, 26, 298 DOI: 10.1039/D3EM00344B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements