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

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 PM in 2020.

Multi-element analysis of tyre rubber for metal tracers.

The purpose of this study was to identify a characteristic elemental tyre fingerprint that can be utilised in atmospheric source apportionment calculations. Currently zinc is widely used as a single element tracer to quantify tyre wear, however several authors have highlighted issues with this approach. To overcome this, tyre rubber tread was digested and has been analysed for 25 elements by ICP-MS to generate a multielement profile.