Measurement of tyre dust particles in the atmosphere using chemical tracers

Control of airborne particulate matter is a high priority due to its adverse effects upon human health. Road traffic contributes to both coarse and fine particle concentrations, both through exhaust and non-exhaust emissions of particles. Tyre dust is recognised as making an important contribution to non-exhaust emissions from road traffic, which in many countries now exceed exhaust emissions. The analysis of tyre dust in the atmosphere is challenging, and most methods depend upon use of chemical tracers, which are both inorganic and organic. None is wholly specific and fully quantitative, and this article reviews those which have been used and highlights some of their strengths and weaknesses.