Determination of metals leakage from rubber granulate

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess whether any metals are released from rubber granulate made from waste tires when soaked in water. The rubber granulate was mixed with distilled water at a ratio of 1:10, and the leakage of metals from the rubber granulate into water was subsequently determined using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. Leakage of a number of metals was detected, with by far the largest amount being zinc. After leaching for 24 hours, zinc was detected in the water in the amount of 270 µg·L−1. After leaching the recycled rubber granulate in water for three weeks, zinc was determined at 5670 µg·L−1. The experiment shows that upon prolonged soaking in water, metals release from the rubber granulate, which can have an adverse effect on the environment and human health.