Skip to main content

Swedish study of road pollution

A study carried out in Sweden has highlighted the key risks of road pollution. The study was made by the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Svenska Miljöinstitutet, IVL) and has shown that wear-and-tear from roads and tyres constitute the largest source of microplastics emissions. Kerstin Magnusson, Ecotoxicologist at the Institute, states that the study, which was conducted on behalf of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), is the largest mapping of microplastics emissions
March 10, 2016 Read time: 1 min
A study carried out in Sweden has highlighted the key risks of road pollution. The study was made by the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Svenska Miljöinstitutet, IVL) and has shown that wear-and-tear from roads and tyres constitute the largest source of microplastics emissions. Kerstin Magnusson, Ecotoxicologist at the Institute, states that the study, which was conducted on behalf of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), is the largest mapping of microplastics emissions to ever be conducted in Sweden. However the researchers have yet to find out how far these particles reach in the environment. Magnusson said that the study highlights the decreased particle waste from sewage as well as increasing knowledge over other means of particle transports.

Related Content

  • Road markings and microplastics
    May 13, 2024
    Recent regulations from the European Commission have exempted road markings from microplastic bans and restrictions, at least for the moment, explains the ERF.
  • Nira and Univrses in Swedish road data project
    April 6, 2023
    NIRA Dynamics and Univrses are working on road surface conditions analysis using data from connected vehicles, RWIS, radar/satellite images and weather prognoses to provide a real-time picture of the road status.
  • Trees delivering cleaner cities with less pollution?
    November 30, 2016
    Research carried out jointly by scientists from EarthSense Systems and the University of Leicester shows the beneficial effect of urban trees on helping lower air pollution. The study shows a direct link between air pollution and green infrastructure, with trees and grass cover contributing to a reduction in concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The newly published research shows that the aerodynamic dispersive effect of trees results in a 9.0 percent reduction in PM2.5 concentrations. A decrea
  • Advances in bitumen technology will boost surface wear life and quality
    September 19, 2012
    From chip fat to banana bags, the race is on to find new bitumen additives which will solve two problems with one solution: replace diminishing petrochemical-based products and make use from waste rather than landfilling it - Kristina Smith reports It is not just the desire to preserve our environment which is driving the industry’s search for products which don’t eat up raw materials. The hunger of emerging economies – particularly China – mean that resources can be hard to come by, so it makes sense for s