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

  • Taxis to measure pollution in Stockholm
    May 9, 2012
    In a pilot study being carried out by the Department of Applied Environmental Science (ITM) at Stockholm University, four taxis have been equipped to measure pollution and particulate matter. Instruments fitted to the roof of the taxis undertakes measurements which are then cross referenced with the cars' GPS as they travel around Sweden's capital.
  • India’s road to safety
    September 5, 2012
    India's growth rate is the envy of the world, and its infrastructure is rapidly improving, but its road safety record is the world's worst. Patrick Smith reports on a conference aimed at finding answers to the problems Ambling through the gardens and marble magnificence that is the Taj Mahal or gazing down on the city of Jaipur from the hilltop Jaigarh Fort is far removed from the world outside.
  • European transport pricing deadline
    September 3, 2012
    Public consultation is nearing completion on the sensitive issue of internalising external costs to make transport users pay for the perceived negative effects they inflict on society, including air pollution, CO2 emissions, accidents and congestion. Within six months a universal model will be unveiled by the European Commission (EC).
  • TransCore debuts GPS-based device for infrastructure-less tolling and safe driving applications
    May 1, 2012
    TransCore has today launched ROVR, a GPS device with GSM communications that allows infrastructure-less tolling and includes an optional driver safety monitoring feature shown to dramatically reduce accidents, improve fuel economy, and decrease Greenhouse gases (GHG).