Brake Pad Emissions: More Toxic Than Diesel?
- Microscopic particles from common brake pads may pose a greater health risk than diesel exhaust,according to a new study by the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.
- The study found a direct link between higher copper concentrations in certain brake pads and increased harm to lung cells when the resulting particles are inhaled.Exposure to vehicle...
- These "non-exhaust" sources now account for most vehicle particulate matter (PM) emissions in the U.K.
Brake pad emissions could be more toxic than diesel exhaust,a startling revelation from a recent study. Researchers found that brake dust, a important source of particulate matter, poses a severe threat to human health. Learn how the copper content in brake pads amplifies this toxicity, impacting lung health. Even electric vehicles, often touted as eco-kind, generate harmful brake dust, challenging current environmental regulations. This research offers crucial insights into vehicle pollution, highlighting the unexpected role of brake pads in air quality. News Directory 3 provides this alarming update.Discover how these findings shape our understanding of vehicle emissions and what future policy adjustments might look like.
Brake dust: Study shows Unexpected Role in Air Pollution,More Toxic Than Diesel
Microscopic particles from common brake pads may pose a greater health risk than diesel exhaust,according to a new study by the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. The research highlights the significant role of brake wear in overall vehicle emissions and air quality.
The study found a direct link between higher copper concentrations in certain brake pads and increased harm to lung cells when the resulting particles are inhaled.Exposure to vehicle pollution has long been associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. While exhaust emissions have been the primary focus, tire, road, and brake pad wear also release particles into the air. These sources are largely unregulated.
These “non-exhaust” sources now account for most vehicle particulate matter (PM) emissions in the U.K. and parts of Europe, with brake dust as the leading contributor.
Dr. james Parkin, led author, noted the shift toward electric vehicles brings the issue into sharper focus. “People generally associate pollution from cars as being from exhaust pipes and think of electric vehicles as having zero emissions. However, EVs still produce particulate matter due to friction and wear of the road, tires, and brakes,” Parkin said. “We wanted to understand how different types of chemical composition of pads affect the toxicity of the particles emitted and what this might mean for the health of individuals.”
Scientists examined the impact of PM from four brake pad types – low metallic, semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic, and hybrid-ceramic – on lung health. They focused on fine PM, specifically PM2.5 and smaller, which can penetrate deep into the lungs.Fine PM is linked to over four million premature deaths annually worldwide.
The team collected brake pad particulate matter and exposed lung lining cells to it in the lab, measuring effects like oxidative stress and inflammation. Non-asbestos organic pads proved most toxic, even more so than diesel exhaust particles. Ceramic pads ranked second.Both contained high copper levels; removing the copper reduced toxicity.
The findings, published in Particle and Fibre toxicology, suggest reducing copper in brake pads could lessen the harmful effects of vehicle particulate matter. Air pollution is linked to conditions like asthma, COPD, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Professor Matthew Loxham, project supervisor, said the research has implications for health and policy. “This research has important implications for health and future policy becuase as we switch from diesel and petrol-powered cars to electric vehicles, non-exhaust particle emissions will remain. Non-exhaust emissions could increase over time due to electric vehicles being heavier than combustion engine vehicles and creating greater friction,” loxham said.
What’s next
Researchers suggest current regulations, focused on exhaust emissions, may not adequately address the health effects of vehicles in the future, especially as fleets electrify. Electric vehicles, while lacking exhaust emissions, are not emission-free.