Environmental chemistry of benzothiazeles derived from rubber

Authors

Christopher M. Reddy, University of Rhode Island
James G. Quinn, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

10-1-1997

Abstract

Benzothiazole (BT), 2-hydroxybenzothiazole (HOBT), and, 2-(4- morpholino)benzothiazole (24MoBT) leach from crumb rubber material (CRM) and asphalt containing 1-3% CRM. To determine whether benzothiazoles would be an environmental problem if roads containing CRM-modified asphalt (CMA) were built in the state of Rhode island, the source and fate of these compounds were investigated. Benzothiazoles enter the environment from a number of sources such as the leaching of rubber products fine particles of automobile tires, and antifreeze. Compared to the fluxes of benzothiazoles currently entering rivers from urban runoff, CMA roads may initially deliver substantially more benzothiazoles to the environment; however, with time this source may diminish as the road ages. Because the benzothiazoles are water soluble, it is unlikely that they will serb to particles, settle to sediments, or be bioaccumulated. In addition, BT can be volatilized, and BT and HOBT can be microbially degraded. Therefore, the environmental chemistry of these compounds suggests that the inputs of benzothiazoles from CMA should not be harmful.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Environmental Science and Technology

Volume

31

Issue

10

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Reddy, Christopher M., and James G. Quinn. "Environmental chemistry of benzothiazeles derived from rubber." Environmental Science and Technology 31, 10 (1997). doi: 10.1021/es970078o.