Topic description

Background of the position:

Road transport remains a major contributor to air pollution. While exhaust emissions have been significantly reduced through technological advances and the progressive electrification of vehicles, non-exhaust emissions—including brake, road, and tire wear—are increasingly recognized as dominant and still poorly characterized sources of pollutants. Among these, tire wear particles (TWPs) constitute a complex mixture of organic compounds, additives, and metals, emitted both in the particulate and semi-volatile phases1,2. TWPs accumulate in many environments (air, stormwater runoff or through bioaccumulation in vegetation and animals) and can be a major source of microplastics and heavy metals that are toxic to human and environmental health. Despite growing attention, important uncertainties remain regarding the chemical composition, atmospheric transformation, and environmental behavior of tire-de...