{"title":"Emission characteristics and microplastic generation in recycled waste plastic modified asphalt mixtures","authors":"Soumyadeep Deb, Praveen Kumar, Nikhil Saboo","doi":"10.1617/s11527-025-02717-7","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The sustainable application of recycled waste plastic-modified asphalt (RPMA) is hindered by limited understanding of associated airborne emissions and microplastic (MP) generation. This study evaluates emission characteristics of particulate matter (PM), six types of pollutant fumes, and MP generation from RPMA containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), sourced from three locations in India and incorporated via dry and wet methods. PM emissions varied by 1.56–10.1% (dry) and 0.11–18.06% (wet) compared to control mixes, with no significant influence from plastic type, dosage, or method. Pollutant fume levels were comparable to controls, though air quality index values consistently exceeded 200, indicating unhealthy conditions. MP generation was minimal due to improved adhesion in the composite asphalt matrix. While RPMA shows minimal additional emission impacts, improved air quality controls are advised for worker safety.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":691,"journal":{"name":"Materials and Structures","volume":"58 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Materials and Structures","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1617/s11527-025-02717-7","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The sustainable application of recycled waste plastic-modified asphalt (RPMA) is hindered by limited understanding of associated airborne emissions and microplastic (MP) generation. This study evaluates emission characteristics of particulate matter (PM), six types of pollutant fumes, and MP generation from RPMA containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), sourced from three locations in India and incorporated via dry and wet methods. PM emissions varied by 1.56–10.1% (dry) and 0.11–18.06% (wet) compared to control mixes, with no significant influence from plastic type, dosage, or method. Pollutant fume levels were comparable to controls, though air quality index values consistently exceeded 200, indicating unhealthy conditions. MP generation was minimal due to improved adhesion in the composite asphalt matrix. While RPMA shows minimal additional emission impacts, improved air quality controls are advised for worker safety.
期刊介绍:
Materials and Structures, the flagship publication of the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM), provides a unique international and interdisciplinary forum for new research findings on the performance of construction materials. A leader in cutting-edge research, the journal is dedicated to the publication of high quality papers examining the fundamental properties of building materials, their characterization and processing techniques, modeling, standardization of test methods, and the application of research results in building and civil engineering. Materials and Structures also publishes comprehensive reports prepared by the RILEM’s technical committees.