William Yu
Heritage Christian School - Lake Forest, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA.
*Corresponding author: William Yu
This paper is supported by the Educational Commission of Shaanxi Province of China (Grant No. 14 JK1446); The Foundation of Shaanxi Educational Committee (Grant No. 2013 JK0182); and the Research Fund for soft science of Shaanxi (Grant No. 2014 KRM37-02).
Abstract
Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) have been widely documented in scientific research as a hidden but significant contributor to microplastic pollution. However, outside academic circles, the term itself rarely sparks recognition. This project set out to explore the disconnect between existing research and public knowledge by reviewing literature on TRWP’s chemical complexity and ecological risks and interviewing ordinary people about their understanding of TRWP’s environmental impact. A small survey of 25 participants became the lens through which this gap was revealed. The responses told a familiar story: bottles, bags, and straws were named almost instantly as marine pollutants, while TRWPs drew blank stares. Fewer than one in five respondents had even heard of it, and even those with some environmental background seldom flagged it as a concern. Such results suggest that technical fixes like stormwater treatment or emission standards will matter little unless public awareness catches up. Education, community engagement, and clearer communication are not afterthoughts—they are part of the solution.
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How to cite this paper
The Impact of Tire and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) on Marine Animals
How to cite this paper: William Yu. (2025). The Impact of Tire and Road Wear Particles (TRWP) on Marine Animals. Engineering Advances, 5(4), 149-151.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ea.2025.10.003